In an era where digital technology has become the backbone of industries and societies alike, few leaders embody both the technical mastery and human-centered vision required to navigate this landscape as powerfully as Dr. Noxolo Kubheka-Dlamini. Her career stands at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and impact from spanning ICT, financial services, infrastructure, and logistics, with deep expertise in ICT strategy and planning, architecture, data and analytics, operations technology, telecommunications, and cybersecurity. 

As Founder and Managing Director of Zowiumi Holdings, Kubheka-Dlamini channels this expertise into both enterprise and empowerment, building business solutions while creating platforms that uplift women and youth. Her influence has not gone unnoticed. She was named a Top 6 Finalist in the Trailblazing Career in ICT Category 2025, featured in the Top 100 Women in Tech Booklet, and recognized by CIO Africa (Dx5) as one of the 45 Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation (2023–2024). She is also a two-time nominee for the EXITO DT50 Awards (2023 and 2024), acknowledged among the Top 100 and Top 50 ICT Leaders Driving Technology Forward.  

Her thought leadership has been featured across major platforms, including Forbes Africa, ITWeb, Brainstorm, and TechFinancials, where her voice continues to shape the conversation on technology’s role in driving growth and inclusion. Beyond boardrooms and keynote stages, she leads initiatives through Zowiumi Holdings aimed at empowering women and youth, while also serving academia as a guest lecturer, advisory board member, and mentor to high school and university students. 

Kubheka-Dlamini’s story is not only one of professional accomplishment, but also of legacy building. She is proving that true leadership in the digital age means advancing technology while creating pathways for others to rise. 

A Journey Guided by Purpose and Vision 

Kubheka-Dlamini’s career is a story of both intention and providence. Her entry into the world of technology was made possible by a sponsorship from Richards Bay Minerals, where she began her professional journey as an analyst programmer. What began as a technical role soon evolved into a leadership path defined by courage, curiosity, and a commitment to meaningful impact. 

By 2014, she had risen to the position of Chief Information Officer, overseeing teams that delivered enabling technologies for some of the most complex infrastructure programmes in South Africa. Each step of her journey reflected not just professional growth but also a deep sense of alignment with a larger purpose. Today, as Chief Digital & Information Officer at Telkom, Kubheka-Dlamini leads the company’s digital transformation strategy and shaping how technology redefines both business and society. 

Her entrepreneurial venture, Zowiumi Holdings, is a natural extension of this journey. Through it, she has found a way to channel her leadership beyond corporate boardrooms while building legacy, nurturing innovation, and creating tangible social impact. 

Bridging Diverse Industries into a Cohesive Vision 

With professional roots spanning telecommunications, mining, financial services, and logistics, Kubheka-Dlamini brings a rare breadth of experience to her leadership at Telkom. She integrates this diversity into a clear and cohesive technology vision; one anchored in collaboration, efficiency, and impact. 

Her approach extends beyond the traditional scope of IT. She works closely with business units to ensure that every investment in digital innovation is cost-effective, customer-centric, and secure. Her vision prioritizes simplification of customer experiences through self-service digital channels, hyper-personalization, and robust identity management. At the same time, she places strong emphasis on resilience and cybersecurity; non-negotiables in the telecommunications sector. 

This ability to view challenges holistically allows her to draw lessons from multiple industries and apply them to Telkom’s mandate of expanding reliable, affordable connectivity. More importantly, she sees technology as a tool of empowerment to build inclusive infrastructure that enables participation in the digital economy and broadens access to essential public services. 

Two Sides of the Same Coin 

To Kubheka-Dlamini, innovation and security are not opposing forces but inseparable priorities. She firmly believes that in today’s world, where enterprises handle vast volumes of sensitive data and critical operations, progress cannot come at the cost of safety. 

She advocates for embedding security frameworks at the inception of every new digital initiative. In her view, this proactive approach not only safeguards data but also nurtures trust and ensures long-term value creation. Ethical AI practices, strong governance, and continuous monitoring form the backbone of her philosophy. She is creating an environment where innovation thrives securely. 

The message is clear: the most resilient enterprises will be those that master the balance between bold transformation and uncompromising protection. 

The Threats Enterprises Cannot Afford to Ignore 

Despite heightened awareness around cybersecurity, Kubheka-Dlamini warns that many organizations still underestimate the most pressing risks. Supply chain vulnerabilities, for instance, remain an overlooked weak point which is allowing attackers to infiltrate through trusted vendors and partners. 

She also points to the human element as a persistent risk factor. Social engineering and insider threats, in her view, can undo the best technical safeguards if not addressed with vigilance and awareness. With the rapid adoption of AI and automation, she highlights another rising danger: adversarial attacks designed to manipulate algorithms or exploit systemic biases. 

For her, the solution lies in moving beyond box-ticking compliance. She champions adaptive, proactive strategies that combine technical defenses with human awareness, ethical governance, and continuous risk assessment; ensuring organizations stay ahead in a constantly evolving threat landscape. 

Building Pathways of Opportunity Through Zowiumi Holdings 

The vision behind Zowiumi Holdings is deeply personal. Kubheka-Dlamini explains that the mission was inspired by her own journey and by her observations of how poverty often does more than take away resources. She mentions that it robs young people of exposure, mentorship, and belief in what is possible. 

She sees it as a responsibility of those who have succeeded to bridge that gap. A single opportunity, she notes, can ignite potential that might otherwise remain buried. Through Zowiumi, she has witnessed how mentorship, access to resources, and entrepreneurial support can transform not only individuals but entire communities. 

Her work focuses not on charity, but on creating sustainable pathways, breaking cycles of lack, and building cycles of growth. For her, the true measure of success lies not just in personal achievement but in the ripple effects that uplift families, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation of leaders. 

Unlocking Hidden Potential 

For Kubheka-Dlamini, the difference between untapped potential and realized greatness often comes down to two simple yet powerful elements: exposure and access. She believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Too often, young people from marginalized or economically disadvantaged backgrounds are not held back by ability, but by a lack of visibility into what is possible and the absence of meaningful networks, mentorship, and tools to get there. 

She points out that while poverty strips away resources, the deeper crisis is one of equity and inclusion and issues that remain overlooked when we are disconnected from the daily realities of these communities. In her experience, even a single internship, a mentor’s guidance, or access to entrepreneurial support can ignite ambition that changes not only an individual’s trajectory, but also transforms families, communities, and even industries. “Exposure shows them the horizon; access gives them the vehicle to reach it,” she says—a philosophy that drives much of her work. 

“Reality exists beyond human consciousness” 

Greatness Built on Hard Work, Dedication, and Passion 

Kubheka-Dlamini’s own journey is a living example of her belief that greatness is achieved through discipline, grit, and passion. Early in her career, she often had fewer resources and limited exposure compared to her peers. What carried her forward was an unwavering work ethic, a determination to grow, and the courage to take bold steps despite uncertainty. 

Dedication instilled resilience, passion fueled persistence, and together they shaped her leadership style. She sees these same traits as universal tools for success, particularly when paired with the right support structures. This is why she invests heavily in mentoring others while knowing that when young professionals match hard work with guidance and opportunity, they can transform industries and societies at large. 

Turning Challenges into Catalysts for Growth 

Kubheka-Dlamini’s career has not been without obstacles. One of the greatest challenges, she reflects, was navigating spaces where representation and resources were scarce. Often, she had to prove herself twice as much, not just to gain visibility, but to earn trust and responsibility. The journey was marked by setbacks, doubts, and moments of isolation, yet each challenge served as a training ground. 

The lesson she carries into mentorship is that obstacles are not barriers but building blocks. She urges young people to view them as catalysts for growth, while also reminding them of the importance of networks and guidance. “No one succeeds alone,” she insists.  

Advice for Young Professionals in Male-Dominated Fields 

For young professionals, especially women, entering industries like technology and telecommunications, Kubheka-Dlamini emphasizes the importance of self-investment. Developing deep expertise and confidence in one’s skills, she explains, not only earns credibility in the boardroom but also builds authority to lead with conviction. 

She cautions against the temptation to mimic others in male-dominated spaces. Instead, she encourages women to embrace their distinct strengths, empathy, resilience, and perspective as assets that bring balance and innovation to the industry. Continuous learning is equally vital in fields that evolve rapidly. And perhaps most importantly, she highlights the value of mentors and sponsors who don’t just guide from the sidelines but actively advocate in decision-making spaces. 

Her advice is clear: “Leadership is not about fitting in; it’s about showing up authentically, with both courage and elegance, and leaving the industry better for those who follow.” 

Technology as a Catalyst for Societal Transformation 

Looking ahead, Kubheka-Dlamini envisions a role for digital technology that extends far beyond business efficiency. She believes its true potential lies in democratizing access and opening doors to education, healthcare, financial services, and entrepreneurship for communities historically left behind. 

She acknowledges the paradox leaders face: the pressure to innovate aggressively while maintaining financial stability. Yet, she views responsible transformation as not just about innovation, but about inclusivity and sustainability. For her, digital progress must be ethical, equitable, and intentional. 

Finally, she sees technology as “the great equalizer,” a force that, if harnessed wisely, can redefine opportunity, bridge divides, and reshape entire societies. Her vision is bold: a future where geography, background, or circumstance no longer dictate possibility, and where digital access becomes synonymous with empowerment. 

“Infinite Possibility… “We are living in an era of infinite possibilities, where technology has the power not only to transform industries but to redefine what’s possible for humanity. When innovation is guided by purpose, the impossible becomes inevitable.”