Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar Series 2026 | October
PRESS RELEASE
Limpopo ICT Forum launches 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar Series
For Immediate Release
8 October 2026
Polokwane, Limpopo
Four Thursdays. Four critical conversations. One goal: a safer, more cyber-aware society.
The Limpopo ICT Forum, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), today launches the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar Series, a month-long initiative aimed at strengthening cybersecurity awareness and digital safety among individuals, families, organisations and communities.
The series gets underway this evening, Thursday the 8th of October 2026 from 18:00 to 19:00 (SAST) with an important discussion on “Truth in the Digital Age: Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation”, with a particular focus on the impact of digital information on politics, elections and democratic processes.
The Forum recognises that as South Africa becomes increasingly connected, information can travel across digital platforms within seconds. While digital technologies provide enormous opportunities for communication and participation, misinformation and disinformation can influence public opinion and undermine trust in democratic processes.
The opening webinar will provide an opportunity for participants to explore how to recognise, understand and respond responsibly to information encountered online.
Opening session
The first webinar will take place online via Microsoft Teams and will feature cybersecurity and ICT expertise from the CSIR and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Featured contributors include:
- Danielle Botha-Badenhorst – Senior Cybersecurity Specialist, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Thato Moyaba – Manager: ICT Operations, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)The session will encourage participants to think critically about information they encounter online and to consider the consequences of sharing unverified information.
- Programme Director: Matsebe Phasha from the Limpopo ICT Forum.
The core message is simple: Be Cyber Smart. Think Before You Share.
A month of cybersecurity awareness
The opening webinar is the first of four weekly conversations taking place every Thursday during October. The series will address practical cybersecurity issues that affect people in their everyday digital lives.
- 15 October 2026 – Protecting Your Digital Identity The second session will focus on protecting personal digital identities, recognising online scams and developing safer online habits.
- 22 October 2026 – Cyber Safety at Home: Protecting Your Family in the Digital World This session will focus on helping individuals, families, organisations and communities create safer digital environments at home and beyond.
- 29 October 2026 – When Cybercrime Happens: What You Should Do Next The final session will address what individuals should do when they become victims of cybercrime and how they can respond appropriately.
The four-session programme is designed to move beyond awareness alone by encouraging practical conversations around digital responsibility, online safety, cybersecurity and resilience.
Everyone has a role to play
The Limpopo ICT Forum is encouraging members of the public, businesses, government institutions, educators, community organisations, young people, families and technology users across Limpopo, South Africa and the world to participate.
Cybersecurity is no longer only a technical or IT issue. The information people share, the links they click, the passwords they use, the people they interact with online and the decisions they make when confronted with suspicious information all contribute to the broader digital security environment.
The Forum therefore calls on participants to share the programme with colleagues, friends and family and to make cybersecurity awareness part of everyday digital behaviour.
Join the webinar
Date: Thursday, the 8th of October 2026
Time: 18:00–19:00
SAST Platform: Microsoft Teams Series - CLICK THIS TO JOIN
Participants can use the Microsoft Teams link provided for the webinar, which will also be used for the subsequent Thursday sessions throughout October.
About the Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar Series
The 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar Series is presented through a collaborative partnership between the Limpopo ICT Forum and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with the programme also presented in collaboration with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
The series supports the broader objective of building a more informed, responsible and cyber-aware society, where citizens are better equipped to navigate the opportunities and risks of the digital world.
Four Thursdays. Four important conversations. One goal: a safer, more cyber-aware world.
Be Cyber Smart. Think Before You Share.
Media Contact: Limpopo ICT Forum Limpopo, South Africa