MDCS Skills Academy, awards WIOCC South Africa for their outstanding contributions to young females in the IT and Telecommunications sector during the Women in Telco and Tech Executive Roundtable. The WIOCC Management team that received the award are Motlatsi Johnson (left) and Geeta Jogi (right).

Motlatsi Johnson, Country Marketing Manager: South Africa, of WIOCC, welcomed everyone to the event, held at the Four Seasons Westcliff hotel on 28 September, 2023. The guests included women in leadership positions in technology, from high-profile corporate organisations. Samantha Perry, founder of SJ Perry PR and Women in Tech SA, said bigger strides need to be made towards the inclusion of women in technology. Entrenched patriarchal attitudes still persist, creating barriers to success for women. “The digital divide needs to improve, in order to optimise the crucial role that women can play in technology,” she said.

The keynote speaker for the event was Keneilwe Gwabeni, Group Chief Information officer of Assupol Holdings, who shared her inspirational story. As the seventh out of 10 children, she was born in a rural area of Mafikeng, to a mother who never had schooling or employment herself as she had to help her grandmother raise all her siblings. Her mother was determined that her daughters would end up in better circumstances. Encouraged by her mother to study maths and science to enhance her career prospects, Gwabeni acknowledged that her mother’s determination is a key element in her success today. However, with communal boreholes for water, no wood for fi res, and having to study late in the evening by candlelight, it was not an easy journey for a schoolgirl. Even today, much needs to be done. Internet penetration, which is still at only 35% in South Africa, is one example of the digital divide.

Employed in the IT sector, Gwabeni found that distrustful attitudes towards women created an environment where male support and maintenance technicians were requested by clients, making her role more di­ cult. Although discouraged, she took this as a challenge and tried even harder, making sure that her clients received the very best service. On seeing this, other clients began requesting her.

“Fetching water for the people” – going above and beyond, and always doing more than what is expected – is something that Gwabeni believes is key to her success. “Doing this overcomes barriers,” she said, “as it allows you to be recognised. However, you will probably still have to fight for that management position or promotion. You must make it clear to your superiors and your mentors that you have ambition and are prepared to put in the hard work, and that you want to be considered for advancement.” Gwabeni discussed the feeling that many women in tech share, of being less adequate compared to their male counterparts. This needs to change, she said. 

“Showing the world you can do it is not showing o. , it is changing the narrative and proving that a woman can succeed. Don’t be afraid to be in the spotlight. Your success means the success of others, so drive the change and challenge the corporate beliefs. Give women opportunities, promote them to your level and don’t be scared of their success,” she advised. “Remember, the first act of a true leader is to identify your replacement and start training them – that allows you space to grow as well, as it expands your ceiling. And women in tech can form supportive cohorts just as men can. There is great power in these.”

A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE

The next speaker, Dikeledi Lerefolo, was a graduate of the MDCS Skills Academy and a former student of WIOCC. Lerefolo emphasised that gender equality is an economic imperative, and that diverse teams are more innovative and productive. “Organisations that don’t actively seek to bridge the gap are depriving themselves of talent. The academy is leading the charge by providing skills development programmes. It empowers women to succeed through mentoring, coaching and hands-on training,” she said. “Achieving gender equality is a strategic imperative and a path to greater innovation and economic growth.”

The CEO of MDCS, Madelè Dekker, spoke about the incredible sponsorship that WIOCC has given the programme. “WIOCC South Africa are a beacon of hope, who lead the fight for women in technology,” she said.

On behalf of the MDCS Skills Academy, Lerefolo and Dekker presented WIOCC South Africa with an award certificate for their role in making a difference to young females in IT. Dr Sayuri Moodliar, the new Head of ESG for Open Access Data Centres, explained that part of her role is to report on the ESG indicators, which include diversity, equality and inclusion.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks she has identified is that young women in tech feel inadequate; she emphasised that in the ICT space, there is no such thing as a ‘science’ or an ‘arts’ person. There are many roles, and people need to be encouraged to join the industry in a role that plays to their strengths. “Look at where the gaps are,” she said.

Moodliar also emphasised that life does not have to be a series of successes and that the CVs of top execs can seem intimidating to newcomers. “This is a conversation we need to have with young women. It’s okay to make serious mess-ups and to have huge setbacks in life and to have dealt with trauma or abuse. To have failed, learned, and started over. Nobody should feel ashamed about where they’ve come from,” she said.

To conclude, there were many interested questions and comments from the guests, who appreciated the truthful, authentic and honest accounts of the speakers. Thanks to everyone involved in hosting this important and thought-provoking event.