Duke Mathebula: A Leader with a Vision

Duke Mathebula, MBA, has long been a driving force within AFSUG, championing innovation and excellence in 麻豆原创 technology across Africa. With a wealth of experience and a strategic vision, Duke has continually led AFSUG towards greater heights, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among 麻豆原创 users in the region.

Continuing the Legacy:

Duke steps into the role on the heels of a profound loss within our community, following the passing of Reg Barry, the former CLT member. As we honor Reg鈥檚 legacy and contributions, Duke鈥檚 appointment represents a seamless transition and a commitment to carrying forward the torch of leadership within SUGEN.

AFSUG鈥檚 Global Influence:

AFSUG鈥檚 presence on the SUGEN CLT underscores our commitment to representing the interests of 麻豆原创 users not only in Africa but also on the global stage. Through active participation in SUGEN, AFSUG continues to advocate for the needs and priorities of our members, ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping 麻豆原创鈥檚 strategic direction.

Driving Innovation and Success:

SUGEN serves as a platform for open dialogue between 麻豆原创 and its user groups worldwide, driving innovation and excellence within the 麻豆原创 ecosystem. Duke鈥檚 appointment to the CLT further strengthens this dialogue, providing AFSUG with a direct channel to influence 麻豆原创鈥檚 product roadmap and strategy.

Looking Ahead:

As Duke Mathebula assumes his new role on the SUGEN CLT, we are excited about the opportunities it presents for AFSUG and the broader 麻豆原创 community. Together, we will continue to drive excellence, innovation, and success, further cementing AFSUG鈥檚 position as a leading voice within SUGEN and the global 麻豆原创 landscape.

We congratulate Duke Mathebula on his appointment to the SUGEN CLT and express our gratitude for his ongoing dedication to AFSUG and the 麻豆原创 community. With Duke鈥檚 leadership, we are confident that AFSUG will continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the future of 麻豆原创 technology.

The post Duke Mathebula Appointed to SUGEN CLT: AFSUG鈥檚 Continuing Leadership on the Global Stage appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.

Reg Barry, AFSUG chairman, explains that as a non-profit organisation, AFSUG, while affiliated with 麻豆原创 Africa, operates completely independently.聽 鈥淎FSUG essentially represents the link between between 麻豆原创 Africa, its partners, and the end user community. Not only do we enjoy a healthy working relationship with the global B2B software provider, we also work very closely with the global network of 麻豆原创 user groups, SUGEN (麻豆原创 user group executive network), with regular support and interaction, at least two face-to-face meetings per year under normal circumstances, and a SUGEN representative in Germany allocated to the AFSUG board.

鈥淭he global collaboration experienced via SUGEN is invaluable, as we are able to gain knowledge from the 22 defined user groups worldwide, and benchmark ourselves against them.

鈥淎s one of the most active user groups globally, with an impressive number of local customers, we are incredibly proud of where Africa is from a user group perspective,鈥� he states.

AFSUG takes it virtual

鈥淥ver the past two years in particular, AFSUG has put an immense amount of effort into driving up value adds for our members,鈥� Barry continues. 鈥淭his has come to the fore during the first half of 2020 in particular, where our general manager, Amanda Gibbs 鈥� who was appointed in January 2020 鈥� haSs worked closely with AFSUG鈥檚 board members and its chairman to define and deliver on our strategic drivers moving forward.鈥�

And while the South African lock-down period could have complicated this procedure, AFSUG has used it as an opportunity to bolster ongoing interactions with its member community. 鈥淎FSUG鈥檚 core focus is networking, connecting, creating opportunities and collaborating,鈥� explains Gibbs, who goes on to add that the organisation has taken the knowledge-sharing events, which make up a large part of this process, known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs), 100 percent digital.

鈥淎ccess to knowledge is obviously an important benefit for AFSUG members, and so, instead of cancelling our traditionally face-to-face events in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban this year, we opted to host regular SIG webinars, where customers are invited to share their success stories and聽partners too are able to impart their knowledge.

鈥淎FSUG member companies are then provided with full access to the relevant content, downloads and related information post webinar. In addition, we are holding virtual monthly steering committee meetings to engage with our longstanding volunteers and experts on what we need to showcase, share and prepare for our members.鈥�

Since lock-down commenced in March this year, AFSUG has seen an upswing in attendance of the SIG events. 鈥淥ur member community has really responded well to our digital webinars and events,鈥� says Gibbs. 鈥淭hus far, we鈥檝e hosted 28 events in 2020, drawing in a total of 1,924 attendees, with many more planned for the future.鈥�

The AFSUG SIGs focus on topics including: Customer Experience; Digital Finance & Risk; Digital Supply Chain Management; Enterprise Information Management & Analytics; 麻豆原创鈥檚 HANA platform; Human Experience Management; Real Estate Management; Retail & CFG; S/4HANA; and Solution Manager & LifeCycle Management. (More information on these events can be found聽.)

鈥淢oving forward post the COVID-19 pandemic, AFSUG plans to continue to take a hybrid approach to our events, encompassing both physical and virtual opportunities,鈥� states Barry. 鈥淭his will include Saphila, AFSUG鈥檚 flagship biennial event, traditionally held at Sun City in the North-West Province.
鈥淭he 2019 iteration of the conference and exhibition was incredibly successful, pulling in its biggest audience to date with approximately 1,000 delegates. We鈥檙e planning to build on this success for the 2021 Saphila, set to take place in July next year, which should comprise both a face-to-face element and the additional opportunity for attendees to attend streamed talks.

鈥淲e believe that this will be highly appealing for 麻豆原创 users across Africa, as engagement with our members throughout the rest of the continent is a strong focus for us. Excellent content will continue to be a huge draw-card, with a strong mix of all-important customer testimonials, where local 麻豆原创 end users will be able to share their own, real-life stories, and technology deep dives.鈥�

News, updates, and an updated look for AFSUG

AFSUG鈥檚 drive to enrich membership benefits include the recent launch of its new and improved聽. 鈥淥ur aim here is to provide a premium platform to our trusted and valued members and business partners; one that allows them to engage and creates a user-friendly browsing experience,鈥� says Gibbs. 鈥淭he new uncluttered design is not only easier to navigate (from any device) and more user-friendly, it allows for improved knowledge sharing and access to the latest 麻豆原创 news, and AFSUG events and updates.鈥�

At the same time, AFSUG has intensified other marketing-related activities, updating its branding and unveiling a new logo earlier this year that symbolises the organisation鈥檚 vibrancy, passion and engagement, yet remains true to its core values 鈥� Connect. Create. Collaborate. Members are also encouraged to join AFSUG鈥檚 revamped social media pages on聽,听听补苍诲听聽for regular news.

New board-level changes

In addition to Gibbs鈥� appointment, AFSUG has welcomed new board members over the past few months, with the appointment of two directors, namely Louise Steenekamp, head of IT: SA Commercial at Aspen Pharmacare, and Corlia van Zyl, group manager: ICT at Distell.聽Says Barry: 鈥淲e look forward to the value that Louise and Corlia will add, their participation in strategic initiatives, and in guiding the team and volunteers as AFSUG ambassadors.

鈥淎nother significant decision taken in July is the appointment of Duke Mathebula, head of IT business applications for Africa at sustainable habitats and high-performance materials leader, Saint-Gobain Africa, as the new AFSUG chair.

鈥淒uke has held the position of our vice chairman for more than six months, and will now assume the role of chairman, while I will continue to serve AFSUG in the vice chair capacity. I have been extremely privileged to have worked alongside Duke at AFSUG over the last period,鈥� Barry adds. 鈥淗e is a phenomenal individual, and it is my belief that as the incoming AFSUG chairman, he will steer the organisation to even greater heights.鈥�

The post AFSUG Goes From Strength to Strength: 2020 and Beyond appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.