Sy Gourrah has been appointed as the first female Divisional CEO of Electrical Equipment at ACTOM, effective October 1, 2025. She previously served as Senior General Manager at Smart Technologies, a division of ACTOM, for four years. With over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Sy began her career as a consultant and later became the City Electrical Engineer for East London, now known as Buffalo City Municipality. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics, a Master of Business Administration, and a Government Certificate of Competency. Additionally, she is a registered professional with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
In her role as Divisional CEO, Sy will provide specialised, high-level solutions across various power generation facilities and oversee the distribution of a comprehensive range of electrical products. She will manage large-scale contracts and supply chains for high-voltage (HV) electrical equipment, components, and accessories. Furthermore, she will be responsible for ACTOM Kenya, which distributes ACTOM products in the East African market and manufactures several items locally, including Blokset, Acto Tec Panels, data racks, cable management systems, and distribution boards.
Sy has demonstrated strong leadership within industry organisations. She was elected President of the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU), becoming the first woman to hold the position, and led constitutional changes to enhance female representation. As a Fellow and former President of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), she founded the Women in Engineering Chapter to support female engineers and promote empowerment initiatives.
Gourrah has made significant contributions to the engineering field, particularly through her dedication to mentoring young professionals. Her passion for guiding the next generation has not only helped aspiring engineers develop their skills but also fostered a more inclusive and supportive environment within the industry.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements and commitment to empowering women in engineering, she was honoured with the SAIEE Women in Engineering Award in 2022. This accolade highlights her role as a trailblazer in the field, inspiring other women to pursue careers in engineering and leadership.