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South Africa’s first cohort of the Fifty Inspiring women in tech have been announced.
The Fifty Inspiring South Africa initiative showcases women in technology, with the goal of increasing visibility of the achievements of women in the innovation and technology sector, and as a result, to inspire young girls and attract more women in the technology-related fields.
The winners range from founders of technology companies; women in C-Level positions in technology companies; academics, influencers, NGO heads, journalists and venture capitalists.
Among the women chosen are: SweepSouth’s Aisha Pandor, Lindiwe Matlali, founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks, Rapelang Rabana founder and CEO of Rekindle Learning, Ellen Fischat, managing director of Silicon Cape, Nunu Ntshingila, head of Facebook Africa and Yolisa Kani, Uber SA’s public policy head, among others.
Inspiring Fifty is a Dutch based non-profit organisation that showcases inspiring female role models in the technology industry in the Netherlands, France, Europe and the Nordics. It’s built on the core philosophy that “If she can see it, she can be it”.
The 50 chosen role models are:
- Aisha Pandor – Co-founder SweepSouth
- Anita Loots – Head of African Planning SKA
- Anitha Ramsuran – Manager of Innovation Skills Development, Technology Innovation Agency
- Anne Githuku-Shongwe – Founder and CEO of AFROES Transformational Games
- Anusuya Chinsamy – Professor and Head of Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town
- Audrey Verhaeghe – Chairperson of Innovation Summit
- Barbara Mallinson – Founder and CEO of Obami
- Boitumelo Menyatswe – Founder of Minderz
- Darlene Menzies – Founder and CEO of SMEasy and Finfind
- Dr Mmaki Jantjies – Head of the Information Systems Department, University of the Western Cape
- Dr. Adriana Marais – Head of Innovation SAP Africa
- Ellen Fischat – Managing Director of Silicon Cape
- Ellie Hagopian – CEO Nomosphere
- Emma Dicks – Founder and Director of Code for Cape Town
- Esther Titilayo Akinlabi – Associate Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at University of Johannesburg
- Fikiswa Majola – Deputy Director of Space Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology
- Hema Vallabh – Founder of WomHub
- Julie Cleverdon – Director of Cape Town Science Centre
- Kim Normand Dobrin – Computer literacy teacher at The Tomorrow Trust
- Lethabo Motswaledi – CEO and Co-founder of 3D Power
- Lindiwe Matlali – Founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks
- Lynn Wilson – Systems Manager at HR Information Management TFG
- Magda Wierzycka – CEO of Sygnia
- Maximillian Kaizen – Co-founder of Treeshake
- Mickey Mashale – Managing Executive and Head of Region at Vodacom
- Mokhudu Macabda – Teacher at Ngwanamago Primary
- Nafisa Akabor – Freelance Technology Journalist at Forbes Woman Africa, Destiny, Wired to the Web
- Ndoni Mcunu – Co-Founder of Black Women in Science
- Ngwako Lethabo Ramohlale – CEO of Nunnovation
- Nneile Nkholise – Founder of Likoebe Innovation Consultants
- Nokuthula Ndlovu – Founder and Strategic Engagement Partner of Limit Breakers Global Foundation and Barclays Africa Group
- Nomso Faith Kana – Managing Director at Sun ’n Shield 84 Technologies; Blaze Away SA, Taungana Africa
- Nothando Moleketi – Co-founder and COO of ReWare
- Nunu Ntshingila – Head of Facebook Africa
- Phadiela Cooper – Principal, COSAT High School
- Pontsho Maruping – Councilor at South African Council for Space Affairs
- Portia Maurice – Director of Nehanda Group
- Pria Chetty – Regional Director at EndCode
- Rapelang Rabana – Founder and CEO of Rekindle Learning
- Regina Luki Kgatle – Founder and Co-founder of 67 Games, WeSmooth
- Saidah Nash Carter – Head of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Thomson Reuters
- Samantha Wright – Blogger, Youtuber, Content Creator at TechGirl
- Sibongile Sambo – Founder and CEO of SRS Aviation Ltd.
- Sibongiseni Tunzelana Thotsejane – CIO of Flavalite
- Stephanie Cowper – CEO and Co-Founder of BeSpecular Pty Ltd.
- Suzana Moreira – Founder of Mowoza
- Vere Shaba – Owner and Director of Shaba & Ramplin Green Building Solutions
- Videsha Proothveerajh – Country Manager at Southern Africa Intel
- Xoliswa Kakana – CEO of ICT-Works Pty Ltd
- Yolisa Kani – Public Policy Head at Uber SA
- This article has been updated to reflect that Mokhudu Macabda is a teacher at Ngwanamago Primary.
