Hi, I’m
Mlondi Chule
Senior IT Leader
Roodepoort
Summary
A results-driven Technology Transformation Leader with over 20 years of experience shaping IT strategy and execution within the complex financial services sector. A proven expert in driving business turnarounds by architecting and implementing robust Cloud (AWS & Azure), DevOps, and Data Solutions. Adept at challenging incumbent vendors, optimizing multi-million Rand budgets, and building high-performing teams from the ground up. Proven at turning around unstable IT departments, reducing support costs by 80%, and enabling 100% remote work during COVID-19. Recognized for pioneering the first major AWS cloud adoption at Liberty Group and delivering the critical, nation-wide "Two-Pot" regulatory system ahead of all competitors.
Overview
23
years of professional experience
4
Certifications
1
Language
Work History
Liberty Group (Standard Bank)Johannesburg
IT Lead: Test Environment Management & Special Projects (Consultant)
05.2023 - 05.2025
Job overview
- Recruited back into the group to stabilize a struggling Business Unit. Initially served as Acting Head of IT. Led test environment management for critical regulatory projects, including the Two-Pot System rollout.
- Delivered the "Two-Pot" System: Spearheaded the testing and deployment strategy for the high-stakes regulatory project. By simulating the go-live in a pre-production environment for three weeks, we identified and resolved critical bugs, enabling Liberty to be the only insurer ready to process claims on Day 1, a feat competitors failed to achieve.
- Established Test Environment Management (TEM): Architected the TEM capability from scratch, creating a stable, predictable pipeline for development and testing across both Program and BAU teams, significantly reducing integration conflicts.
- Resolved Critical Production Outage: Led the technical triage for a major outage in the core workflow application (IPP), correctly identifying the root cause in the Jack Rabbit document repository and coordinating with the US-based vendor (FIS) to resolve it through the December holidays, restoring critical business functions.
- Re-architected LCU Environments: Redesigned the Liberty Corporate Umbrella (LCU) system environments (DEV, TEST, CI, QA) to support parallel development streams, preventing project delays and enabling a new "Fix and Grow" strategic initiative.
- BU: Corporate Benefits
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for project resources and materials.
- Led brainstorming sessions among team members to generate innovative ideas promoting better results in special projects.
Liberty Group (Standard Bank)Johannesburg
IT Business Manager (Secondment to CIO Office, STANLIB Cluster)
06.2019 - 05.2023
Job overview
- Appointed by the CIO to serve as his right-hand after interviews and assessments, was responsible for driving technology strategy and major initiatives for STANLIB, LibFin, and Liberty Two Degrees.
- Pioneered AWS Cloud Adoption: Championed and executed the move to AWS for Liberty Two Degrees' digital transformation, challenging the group's Azure-only stance. This established the first AWS Landing Zone in Liberty, built a serverless data lake, and modernized a business previously run on spreadsheets.
- Saved R8 Million in Support Costs: When the consulting partner quoted R10M for production support of the new data platform, I identified a smaller, more agile local partner and negotiated a superior support contract for only R2M, saving the business 80%.
- Challenged & Replaced Underperforming Consultants: Identified critical skill gaps in the initial Deloitte project team that were causing delays. Paused the project and successfully demanded a new, more competent team, putting the transformation back on track.
- Launched a Successful Graduate Program: Transformed a standard internship into a targeted Data Engineering bootcamp. Personally trained interns who, within a year, became fully proficient DBAs, allowing the business to release expensive consultants and build a sustainable internal talent pipeline.
- Enabled 100% Remote Work: Led the M365 rollout and piloted remote work protocols in 2019, which proved critical during the 2020 lockdown. The Asset Management Cluster was the only Liberty BU able to transition to 100% remote work seamlessly, earning a formal recognition from the STANLIB CEO.
- BU: STANLIB Cluster
- Communicated with customers and vendors positively with particular attention to problem resolution.
- Executed business plans to further strengthen and maximize territory sales and profits.
Liberty GroupJohannesburg
IT Change Manager
11.2016 - 04.2019
Job overview
- Streamlined release management with ITIL/COBIT frameworks, reducing manual efforts by 30% and ensuring SLA compliance.
- Chaired CAB meetings for group-wide changes, assessing risks and approving implementations across BUs; improved change scoring by 25% and achieved zero unplanned downtime through automation.
- Integrated automation for deployments, reducing manual effort by 30%.
- Oversaw change management efforts to support implementation of critical initiatives driving technology, process and culture changes.
- Led teams through complex transformations, providing guidance and support throughout the process.
Liberty GroupJohannesburg
Shift Manager IT Operations
09.2008 - 10.2016
Job overview
- Managed mainframe operations (Control-M), ensuring 100% batch processing SLA compliance; trained operators, boosting team efficiency by 20%.
- Trained entry-level operators, boosting team efficiency by 20%.
- Promoted a positive work environment through open communication and constructive feedback.
- Tracked receipts, employee hours, and inventory movements.
Education
The CAD CorporationSandton, South Africa
Certificate of Technical Studies from Multi-Disciplinary Design and Draughting Office Practice
04.2001
Durban University of TechnologyDurban, South Africa
ND from Electrical Engineering
01.2002
Skills
Strategic Leadership: IT & Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, IT Turnaround, Vendor Management, Budget Optimization
Cloud & Infrastructure: Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF), AWS & Azure Cloud Strategy, Data Lake Architecture, Serverless Technology, Test Environment Management (TEM)
Process & Delivery: Agile & DevOps Implementation, ITIL/COBIT Frameworks, Change & Release Management, CI/CD Automation
Mentorship & Talent Development: Team Building, Graduate Program Development, Skills Training
Additional Core Competencies: Business analysis, Digital transformation, Innovation development and Organizational design
Certification
TOGAF Enterprise Architecture
Timeline
IT Lead: Test Environment Management & Special Projects (Consultant)
Liberty Group (Standard Bank)
05.2023 - 05.2025
IT Business Manager (Secondment to CIO Office, STANLIB Cluster)
Liberty Group (Standard Bank)
06.2019 - 05.2023
IT Change Manager
Liberty Group
11.2016 - 04.2019
Shift Manager IT Operations
Liberty Group
09.2008 - 10.2016
The CAD Corporation
Certificate of Technical Studies from Multi-Disciplinary Design and Draughting Office Practice
04.2001
Durban University of Technology
ND from Electrical Engineering