Despite ongoing efforts and initiatives to encourage more access and involvement of women in the ICT sector, as a group women remain underrepresented. While women make up more than half of the South Africa’s population, the country’s workforce only reflected 43,4% of women according to data from the second quarter of last year. The case appears similar in the South African tech space which although is a growing sector, still sees less than 25% of tech jobs held by women, and simply not enough female entrepreneurs being produced within the industry.
While much of the issue lies at a grassroots level in the lack of sufficient early exposure to technology for young girls in schools and communities, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic still wanes on the economy adding to the slow progress. The need for more focused efforts, more access and more platforms for women in technology remains of critical importance. As such, the Innovator Trust has sounded the call for South African women tech entrepreneurs to #PowerUp at the 2022 Women In Tech Appreciation Experience.
Taking place on the 16th November 2022, renowned women leaders from industry, technology, media and the small-business sector are set to heed the call and gather at the event hosted in the city of gold, Johannesburg.
The likes of South African icons, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, former Global Director for the UN Development Programme and UN CEPA Chair, and Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Executive Director: UN Women and former Deputy President of South Africa, are among the confirmed speakers at the WIT 2022 event, who will be delivering keynote addresses in honour of the female tech SMMEs who have been nominated for awards across several categories, in recognition of their achievements leading their businesses over the last two years while on the Innovator Trust’s incubation programmes.
Award Categories and Nominees are:
The WIT 2022 lineup features an exciting mix of back-to-back keynote addresses and exclusive 1-on-1 interviews not to be missed, on “SA’s Transformation Agenda for Women” with Vodacom Group Executive Head of B-BBEE and Transformation, Lynda Marthinus, an SMME Sector Address from Acting Director General for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani, and a pivotal Q&A segment on women’s mental wellness titled, “The Struggle is Real,” with clinical psychologist and mental health speaker, Dr Lwanele Khasu.
A series of robust, thought-leading panel discussions with some of South Africa’s top women in business and society are must-watch segments, tabling the topics, “Why the girl-child is Africa’s Most Powerful Asset,” “The Power of the Collective Woman; A Conversation of Trust,” and “The Power of Her Seat at the Table,” a powerful discussion on the cost and lessons learned along the journey to success with names such as former Public Protector of South Africa, Professor Thuli Madonsela, General Manager for CISCO, Smangele Nkosi, Vodacom Managing Executive for Public Enterprises, Poppy Tshabalala, Chief Operations Officer for RMB, Storme McDonald and SAFTA award winner and former 2021 WIT Pinnacle Award winner, Sihle Hlophe featuring among the list of inspiring panelists.
The WIT 2022 event will be amplified with seasoned broadcasters Iman Rappetti and Pabi Moloidriving these conversations as programme directors for the day.
