Styli Charalambous co-founded The Daily Maverick, in 2009, while navigating industry disruption and the country’s turbulent politics.

As Founding CEO and publisher, Styli helped grow Daily Maverick from a 5-person start-up to 100 full-time staff, playing an important role in influencing the South African political landscape and national discourse. 

He is passionate about leadership and innovation focusing on new revenue models, product, technology and membership in news. In 2021, he was awarded South Africa’s top journalism award for courage and integrity for his shaping role in Daily Maverick’s success. 

Katy is a highly experienced and accomplished, award-winning journalist and editor with a media career spanning over two decades. 

Katy is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Kaya News on Kaya 959 in Johannesburg.

She’s the co-founder and co-CEO of Mega Media Group.

Katy is the chairperson of the South African National Editors’ Forum’s (SANEF) Journalism Safety and Wellness Committee.  

In 2023 she won the highly prestigious “Woman In Media” Award.

Katy has led some of the biggest newsrooms in SA – namely Eyewitness News (EWN) and more recently she was at the helm of the newest TV news channel, Newzroom Afrika.

As a strong advocate for media freedom, Katy is widely considered a respected editor and journalist who always operates from a basis of credibility and integrity.  

She’s an accomplished public speaker and her public appearances over the years have included giving speeches on a wide range of topics of a professional and personal nature.

Katy is a published author of “I’m Missing News” – a deeply personal account of how to find balance and manage motherhood and family with the world of Breaking News. 

More recently she gave a TEDx talk titled “What’s the Formula“. 

During her career, she’s excelled at strategy and forward-planning, and has run her career with the same adroitness that she has her newsrooms – transforming risks into opportunities.

Katy has led some of the biggest newsrooms in SA – namely Eyewitness News (EWN) and more recently she was at the helm of the newest TV news channel, Newzroom Afrika.

As a strong advocate for media freedom, Katy is widely considered a respected editor and journalist who always operates from a basis of credibility and integrity.  

She’s an accomplished public speaker and her public appearances over the years have included giving speeches on a wide range of topics of a professional and personal nature.

Katy is a published author of “I’m Missing News” – a deeply personal account of how to find balance and manage motherhood and family with the world of Breaking News. 

More recently she gave a TEDx talk titled “What’s the Formula“. 

During her career, she’s excelled at strategy and forward-planning, and has run her career with the same adroitness that she has her newsrooms – transforming risks into opportunities.

Eustace Mashimbye is a qualified financial accountant who studied at the Technikon Northern Gauteng (now Tshwane University of Technology) and the Technikon South Africa (now UNISA). He majored in Financial Accounting and Corporate Law and also studied towards his MBA with the Management College of SA (still to be completed). He is currently completing his studies towards his Corporate Governance qualification through the Chartered Secretaries Institute of South Africa.

He spent the initial years of his career in accounting and financial management positions, in both the public and the private sector with Telkom, Edcon, the Department of Trade & Industry and Proudly SA, with more than 10 years of these at senior management level.

Mashimbye has served on the board of The Business Place and is currently a Director on the Board of the South African Savings Institute, where he previously also held the position of Audit and Risk Committee Chairperson.

He has previously fulfilled the role of CFO (for a 10 year period), Acting COO and Acting CEO of Proudly South African and was appointed permanent CEO in December 2016.

He spent the initial years of his career in accounting and financial management positions, in both the public and the private sector with Telkom, Edcon, the Department of Trade & Industry and Proudly SA, with more than 10 years of these at senior management level.

Mashimbye has served on the board of The Business Place and is currently a Director on the Board of the South African Savings Institute, where he previously also held the position of Audit and Risk Committee Chairperson.

He has previously fulfilled the role of CFO (for a 10 year period), Acting COO and Acting CEO of Proudly South African and was appointed permanent CEO in December 2016.

Petros Pouroullis is the Data and Digitization Lead at Tharisa Minerals, where he applies critical thinking to design and implement digital solutions that drive value creation and process optimization across the mining environment.

With a diverse career path, Petros has consulted for Accenture on global SAP implementations, held a general management role in the retail and hospitality sector, and since 2018 has been responsible for driving the Tharisa Group’s digital transformation agenda.

His achievements include introducing generative AI to automate tasks and software development—delivering 50% cost savings—and strengthening cyber resilience through robust backup strategies. He has modernized legacy technologies in mining operations and previously boosted retail revenues by 250% through strategic operational improvements.

Petros completed his schooling at Selborne College (2002) before obtaining a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (2006). He recently achieved certification as a TOGAF Enterprise Architect Practitioner (2025).

Guided by a strong ethical compass and motivated by his family, Petros grounds his strategic decisions in creating a sustainable, responsible future. Passionate about problem-solving, change management, and the integration of technical processes with user experience and risk management, he continues to champion innovation in mining and beyond. Outside of work, he enjoys playing squash and, as he jokes, has “not yet converted to padel.”

Petros completed his schooling at Selborne College (2002) before obtaining a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (2006). He recently achieved certification as a TOGAF Enterprise Architect Practitioner (2025).

Guided by a strong ethical compass and motivated by his family, Petros grounds his strategic decisions in creating a sustainable, responsible future. Passionate about problem-solving, change management, and the integration of technical processes with user experience and risk management, he continues to champion innovation in mining and beyond. Outside of work, he enjoys playing squash and, as he jokes, has “not yet converted to padel.”

Catherine Constantinides is a South African climate justice warrior, humanitarian, and globally recognized thought leader. She has championed sustainability, human rights, and youth leadership through platforms like Miss Earth South Africa and Generation Earth. Her bold advocacy at the United Nations and on international panels has elevated the voices of marginalized communities and inspired global action on environmental and social issues.

From refugee camps in Western Sahara to keynote stages at global youth forums, Catherine’s fearless dedication has earned her accolades including being named among the “100 Most Influential Young Africans” and “100 Young Mandelas of the Future.” A powerful speaker and changemaker, she exemplifies courage, integrity, and innovation in every space she enters.

George Georgiades is a founder and CEO who has built three successful businesses by the age of 30. He works at the intersection of design, technology, and growth, leading teams that create high-impact digital products and brands. His experience spans web development, e-commerce, marketing, and operational strategy, giving him a grounded, practical view of how to turn ideas into scalable businesses.

He holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, strengthening his ability to integrate technical problem-solving with strategic thinking.

George bridges vision and execution and is recognised for his meticulous, innovative approach to building modern digital solutions.

Alex Protulis is a dual-qualified lawyer (South Africa and England & Wales (non-practising)) and a Director at Christodoulou & Mavrikis Inc., where he advises entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses on franchise law, corporate and commercial matters, intellectual property and trade marks, commercial disputes, and cyber-related legal issues. 

Alex advises some of South Africa’s leading franchise groups across the food, health and beauty industries with their legal needs, compliance and documentation requirements, and serves on the Legal and Membership Committees of the Franchise Association of South Africa, contributing to the development and regulation of the local franchising industry. 

He was recognised by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for Franchise Law (Johannesburg) in 2025 and has been listed in Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for Franchise Law from 2022 to 2026 and has contributed to the South African chapter of  the ICLG’s International Franchise Law Guide for many years.

With over 30 years of experience across radio, print, and television, Aki Anastasiou has witnessed, and reported on the evolution of technology and its profound impact on society.

Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading futurists, technology influencers, facilitators, and conference hosts, Aki is passionate about innovation and digital transformation, and how these forces are reshaping the world for individuals and businesses alike.

He stays ahead of the curve by attending major global tech events and is a highly sought-after speaker on topics related to innovation, AI and  emerging technologies. Over the years, Aki has partnered and consulted with some of the world’s most prominent technology and business brands across multiple industries.

Andigoni (Noni) Kokinos, CA(SA), is a multi-unit entrepreneur and the current Sorbet Franchisee of the Year. She owns and operates a portfolio of Sorbet businesses across Gauteng and is recognised for strong commercial performance, people-led leadership, and innovation within the franchise environment.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, Andigoni began her career at PwC, before moving into investment banking at Rand Merchant Bank, where she worked in structured and resource finance as a transactor. This financial foundation underpins her disciplined, data-driven approach to business ownership, risk management, and sustainable growth.

Over the years, Andigoni has owned six Sorbet stores, successfully sold two, closed one during the COVID period, and currently owns and operates three. This journey has given her first-hand experience across the full franchise lifecycle — acquisition, scaling, optimisation, exit, and decisive closure.

She also created the first Sorbet hybrid concept in Hurlingham, a pioneering format that spearheaded new thinking around operational efficiency, format flexibility, and enhanced client experience. Andigoni brings a grounded, franchisee-first perspective to scaling businesses while balancing brand integrity with entrepreneurial autonomy.

Marko Stavrou, known across South Africa as the Gen Z Guy, is an entrepreneur, strategist, and investor.

At 17, he became the youngest person accepted globally into Henley Business School. Today, aged 21, he is the founder of Genlink, an investor-backed consulting and insights firm focused on unlocking the potential of organisations’ next-gen talent and customers. He is also an investor at Buffet Investments, backing early-stage companies through to Series A.

Marko has presented at over 100 events on entrepreneurship, marketing, and Gen Z, engaging audiences from students to Fortune 500 CEOs. He documents his life and lessons through his social media channels, which have more than 40 thousand followers and garner more than 3 million views annually.

Marko’s lifelong ambition is to invest in the growth of African businesses while empowering entrepreneurs and leaders to lead more purposeful and fulfilling lives.

Eleftherios “Takie” Athanasios Tsironis is a formidable force in South Africa’s IT landscape: a visionary entrepreneur of Greek heritage with over 21 years of relentless innovation and technical mastery.

He built his foundation in electrical engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) before co-founding Compugeddon with his brother Nick in 1999. The company has grown into a powerhouse specialising in advanced IT solutions, hardware deployment, and cutting-edge technology services from its Glenvista, Johannesburg headquarters.

A true pioneer in networking, Takie holds elite certifications from Cisco (advanced routing, switching, security, enterprise networking) and HP Networks, plus a broad range of specialised credentials. These validate his deep expertise in designing, implementing, and optimising high-performance infrastructures, establishing him as a go-to authority for complex, mission-critical environments.

He has led groundbreaking networking rollouts for numerous blue-chip corporations in South Africa and abroad, delivering seamless, high-availability networks that power operations, strengthen security, and drive digital transformation. Takie consistently turns ambitious projects into flawless successes with unmatched reliability and foresight.

As the managing member of Compugeddon and related ventures such as Noptix, he blends sharp entrepreneurial drive with profound technical insight, fostering family-led innovation at the edge of IT possibility. A passionate tech enthusiast—deeply engaged with mechanical keyboards, enthusiast hardware, and gaming communities—he stays firmly at the forefront of real-world technology.

In an era of rapid change, Takie embodies rigorous engineering roots, proven certifications, pioneering deployments, and absolute commitment to excellence. He is not just part of the IT revolution—he is helping lead it.

Basil Moutafis is a seasoned business leader with more than two decades of experience in food manufacturing, sales, and distribution across wholesale and retail markets.

After completing an Honours degree in Bachelor of Business Science (Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science) in 2006, Basil began his career with a brief tenure at Glencore. He subsequently joined his family business, JCJ Sweets, where he took on a leadership role and has since been instrumental in its growth and strategic development.

JCJ Sweets was founded in 1984 by the late Stavro Moutafis. What began as a small bakery outlet has grown into a significant national confectionery manufacturer, built on a foundation of quality, consistency, and entrepreneurial vision.

Today, JCJ Sweets employs over 180 people and operates from a 5,500 m² manufacturing facility in Brakpan, East Rand, Johannesburg. The company has achieved sustained year-on-year growth and continues to pursue its ambition of becoming a world-class confectionery producer.

The JCJ Sweets portfolio includes a wide range of sugar-based confectionery products, such as lollipops, boiled sweets, marshmallows, toffees, caramels, chews, and powdered drink mixes.

The company’s flagship brands, Baxtons and Lucky Star Sweets, were initially established with a strong focus on the wholesale market, where they have earned long-standing success and respect. Over the past decade, the brands have expanded into the retail sector with refreshed branding and positioning, allowing a broader consumer base to access their value-driven and well-loved products. Baxtons is now available through all major retailers and wholesalers nationwide

With over 30 years of experience across radio, print, and television, Aki Anastasiou has witnessed, and reported on the evolution of technology and its profound impact on society.

Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading futurists, technology influencers, facilitators, and conference hosts, Aki is passionate about innovation and digital transformation, and how these forces are reshaping the world for individuals and businesses alike.

He stays ahead of the curve by attending major global tech events and is a highly sought-after speaker on topics related to innovation, AI and  emerging technologies. Over the years, Aki has partnered and consulted with some of the world’s most prominent technology and business brands across multiple industries.