The City of Johannesburg's Executive Director and Group Chief Technology Officer (GCTO), Aubrey Mochela, has been nominated for the prestigious 2026 CIO Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to digital transformation, innovation and public service. With more than 30 years of experience in information and communication technology, Mochela has built a career focused on using technology to modernise organisations, improve municipal services and create better outcomes for residents.
"Being nominated for the 2026 CIO Awards is both a humbling and rewarding milestone for me, personally and professionally. It recognises the dedication, resilience and passion I have invested in leveraging technology to create meaningful impact and drive innovation," he says.
Mochela describes the nomination as a reflection of the collective efforts of the City's technology teams and stakeholders who have worked together to advance Johannesburg's digital transformation journey.
"The nomination validates our shared commitment to strategic leadership and delivering technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and service delivery."
Under his leadership, the City has delivered several major digital initiatives that have strengthened municipal operations and enhanced services for residents. These include the adoption of cloud technologies across municipal systems and City Power, improving the resilience, agility and efficiency of critical infrastructure.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mochela led the rapid rollout of Microsoft Teams across the municipality, enabling employees to collaborate remotely while ensuring essential municipal services continued uninterrupted.
He has also championed the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in municipal call centres to automate routine enquiries, improve response times and enhance the customer experience.
Another significant milestone has been the establishment of Johannesburg's Integrated Intelligent Operations Centre, which brings together real-time data from multiple city systems to support smarter traffic management, emergency response coordination and more effective resource allocation.
For Mochela, however, technology is about far more than modernising systems.
"Technology must not only modernise systems, but it must also improve lives. We need innovative approaches that strengthen service delivery, support revenue generation, create opportunities for SMMEs, stimulate job creation and skills development, while protecting the environment."
Looking ahead, he envisions developing a Central Service Delivery Application and an SMME Reseller Portal to improve collaboration between residents, businesses and the municipality. He also remains committed to expanding free public Wi-Fi access at universities and community hotspots to bridge the digital divide and create more opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.
As a 2026 CIO Awards nominee, Mochela continues to position Johannesburg as a smart, sustainable and inclusive city where technology serves people first.
His advice to future leaders is rooted in service: "True transformational leadership stems from a genuine desire to serve others. Maintain your integrity, focus on improving lives and leave a legacy that uplifts communities and creates a better future for generations to come."
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
24/07/2026
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