In celebration of Women’s Month, COMRiC turns the spotlight on its own Operations Manager, Lutho Williams, whose work sits at the heart of the organisation’s mission to make South Africa’s ICT sector safer and more resilient.
Williams has been with COMRiC for just over a year and a half, overseeing a diverse portfolio of 11 projects ranging from intelligence gathering to awareness campaigns. “No two days are ever the same,” she says, describing her role as a constant balancing act between strategy and hands-on action. Her background in talent management and HR has helped her navigate a unique challenge in bringing together industry players who are often competitors in the marketplace, but collaborators in the fight against crime.
“It’s about creating a safe, neutral space where stakeholders can pool resources, intelligence and expertise,” Williams explains. “From a competition point of view, we have to ensure everything is above board, but when it comes to combating crime, there’s strength in numbers.”
She sees COMRiC’s future in expansion welcoming tower companies, data centres, IoT providers, smaller telcos and ISPs into the fold. “The issues we face affect the entire sector. The more voices and capabilities we have in the room, the stronger our response will be.”
For Williams, Women’s Month is a reminder of the unique strengths women bring to this work. “Women are often the moral backbone of communities. We lead households, we notice what’s happening around us, and we’re not afraid to speak up. In the fight against crime, that vigilance and willingness to act is vital.”
Her message is clear: the ICT sector needs more women, not just in leadership, but on the ground, shaping initiatives and driving change. “This is the perfect space for women who want to make a difference.”