Women Shaping Gaming 2026 adds three speakers as inaugural event nears
The WCGRB has expanded the lineup to five women with expertise spanning gaming operations, leadership, governance, public finance, strategic partnerships and fintech.
South Africa.- The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) has expanded the speaker line-up for Women Shaping Gaming 2026 in South Africa ahead of the August 28 event, with just days remaining until the inaugural forum.
The latest development follows the board’s earlier announcement of Prakashnie Govender as the first speaker for Women Shaping Gaming 2026, followed by Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandama. Shivika Singh and Deidré Baartman were subsequently added, with Rachelle Barioli the latest speaker announced by the board.
The five speakers bring experience spanning gaming operations, leadership, corporate governance, public finance, strategic partnerships and fintech.
Govender, general manager of Grand Slots Western Cape and Kingdomslots Durban, has more than 24 years of gaming leadership experience, while Vabaza-Mvandama CA(SA) is a chartered accountant, corporate governance expert, entrepreneur and WCGRB board member who chairs its Human Capital Committee and founded Kwandiso Consulting.
Among the latest additions to the line-up, Singh, chief executive officer of BetCity, brings more than 20 years of experience in gaming, having held senior leadership positions and served on multiple boards. Her experience includes strategic decision-making, governance and business transformation. The WCGRB says she is focused on responsible gaming, inclusive leadership and building a trusted, customer-first brand.
Baartman, Western Cape Minister of Finance, brings public finance, economic policy and government experience to the programme. Appointed Minister of Finance in 2024 at the age of 33, she became the youngest Minister ever appointed to the Western Cape Cabinet. She is an advocate of the Western Cape High Court and holds an LLB and an LLM in Public Procurement Law from Stellenbosch University.
Before her appointment to the Provincial Cabinet, Baartman served as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism and the Budget Committee, as well as deputy chief whip in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.
Barioli, strategic partnerships lead at Flash Group, has a career spanning sales, key accounts, strategic partnerships, gaming and fintech. She currently leads a team and works with key partners across South Africa, including within the gaming industry. The WCGRB said Barioli’s professional journey has been built around “relationships, people and purposeful leadership.” The WCGRB said Barioli’s three cancer diagnoses over 12 years shaped her perspective on resilience, leadership and courage.
Rescheduled to August 28, Women Shaping Gaming 2026 will bring together women from gaming, regulation, leadership, technology, compliance and finance, with the WCGRB positioning the forum as a platform to connect, share industry experience and examine the future of the sector.
