Today, we honor someone who built a legacy not by seeking credit, but by building capacity—one mainframer at a time.
Danny Naiker
Retired, First National Bank of South Africa
South Africa
View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
Danny Naiker’s contribution to the South African mainframe community is defined by his deep technical knowledge and unwavering commitment to mentorship. In 2004, while still working full-time at First National Bank (FNB), Danny launched an internal Academy to train junior and senior staff in mainframe fundamentals. He ran the initiative without compensation for over a decade, mentoring over 200 professionals before retiring in 2017.
Recognizing the impact of his work, First National Bank rehired Danny in 2022 specifically to revive and lead the training program—a role he held through the end of 2024. His curriculum covered the foundational pillars of z/OS, including JCL, IBM utilities, TSO/ISPF, and mainframe hardware architecture. He also delivered advanced sessions on system configuration and security exits, such as ICHRIX01, and provided hands-on instruction in JES2 parameters, IPL sequencing, and DFHSM/SMS configuration.
Danny’s influence extended across multiple teams at FNB—including IMS sysprogs, storage administrators, operators, and performance analysts. As testified by his nominator, Cameron Scott, now a Mainframe Software Architect at the bank, “Danny mentored many people in the z/OS world, including myself.”
Cameron also notes that Danny is widely known across the South African mainframe landscape and by IBM executives. Having worked for IBM Denmark and other mainframe organizations, Danny remains the person many call—even in the early hours—for help solving complex technical challenges.
In 2025, Planet Mainframe is proud to recognize Danny Naiker as one of our Influential Mainframers.
Influential Mainframer
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. We’re shining a spotlight on the individuals who are making waves—whether they’re advancing technology, mentoring new talent, sharing knowledge, championing modernization, or quietly keeping mission-critical systems running every day. These are the people shaping the future of mainframe. They come from all backgrounds and experience levels, but they all have one thing in common: they’re making a difference.
Check back daily as we reveal a new honoree. Read their stories, celebrate their impact, and be inspired.
Follow @Planet Mainframe and follow #pmfinfluentialmainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees, share your favorite stories, and spread the word.