Joel Cedras

I’m studying computer science at Stellenbosch University, with a strong interest in how technology affects real people and systems. In 2024 I uncovered fraud and security weaknesses in South Africa’s SASSA SRD grant system, which led to national attention and engagement with Parliament.

Since then I’ve worked in cybersecurity, fraud prevention, software development and IT: internships at Capitec, development and security work at GroundUp, and setting up and running IT for nonprofits and small organisations. Day to day that means penetration testing, API testing, SQL, fraud analysis, Linux servers, Django, cloud services, Microsoft 365, Azure and web development.

I’ve also worked on public-interest investigations into SASSA fraud, RICA compliance, data breaches (most recently in Gauteng’s e-Panic app), and weaknesses in South Africa’s financial and identity systems. In 2025 the Mail & Guardian named me one of its 200 Young South Africans, in the Editor’s Choice category.

I want South Africa’s systems to be safe from attack, and I want to help get them there.