Cape Town – On 12 April this year the Dutch Consulate General in Cape Town together with Inspiring Fifty Netherlands launched Inspiring Fifty South Africa. This activation to showcase brilliant Women in Technology, called for South African nominees to sign up and become role models to attract more female champions in the technology-related fields. When the application period closed end of June, an overwhelming number of 252 women in tech were nominated. The list included remarkable women which made the task for the judges to select the final fifty an arduous one. The selected nominees have more than proved themselves worthy of their new titles as one of South Africa’s first Inspiring Fifty women. “The caliber of women is amazing and the project has reached so many different fields,” according to project manager, Chantal Louw. The finalists are showcasing a broad spectrum of skills;
– 6 are academics
– 10 are in corporate
– 25 are entrepreneurs
– 2 are journalists
– 6 are from NGOs and
– 1 is a VC
Inspiring Fifty was initiated by Janneke Niessen and Joelle Frijters from the Netherlands and has since been realized in the Netherlands, Europe, France and the Nordics. The initiative aims to prove the philosophy that “if she can see it, she can be it” therefore, “We are excited about all these women who have been given the opportunity to create awareness of their roles in the technology and innovation sectors and encourage more women to join the force”, says Janneke.
Hosting the first platform for inspiring women in technology outside of Europe, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bonnie Horbach was elated at how far-spread the campaign reached, with finalists from Cape Town (28), Gauteng (19) and Kwa-Zulu Natal (3). “I was overwhelmed by the response to the call for South Africa’s Inspiring Fifty; not only by the numbers but by the unbelievable talent that we were presented with,” says Horbach.
Bonnie is honoured to announce the following fifty, extraordinary role models:
| 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 | AFROES Transformational Games |
| Anusuya Chinsamy | Professor and Head | Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town |
| Audrey Verhaeghe | Chairperson | Innovation Summit |
| Barbara Mallinson | Founder and CEO | Obami |
| Boitumelo Menyatswe | Founder | Minderz |
| Darlene Menzies | Founder and CEO | 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 | Silicon Cape |
| Ellie Hagopian | CEO | Nomosphere |
| Emma Dicks | Founder and Director | Code for Cape Town |
| Esther Titilayo Akinlabi | Associate Professor | Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at University of Johannesburg |
| Fikiswa Majola | Deputy Director: Space Science and Technology | Department of Science and Technology |
| Hema Vallabh | Founder | WomHub |
| Julie Cleverdon | Director | Cape Town Science Centre |
| Kim Normand Dobrin | Founder/ Executive Director of Tomorrow Trust | The Tomorrow Trust |
| Lethabo Motswaledi | CEO and Co-founder | 3D Power |
| Lindiwe Matlali | Founder & CEO | Africa Teen Geeks |
| Lynn Wilson | Systems Manager: HR Information Management | TFG |
| Magda Wierzycka | CEO | Sygnia |
| Maximillian Kaizen | Co-founder | Treeshake |
| Mickey Mashale | Managing Executive and Head of Region | Vodacom |
| Mokhudu Macabda | Teacher |
Ngwanamago Primary
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| Nafisa Akabor | Freelance Technology Journalist | Forbes Woman Africa, Destiny, Wired to the Web |
| Ndoni Mcunu | Co-Founder | Black Women in Science |
| Ngwako Lethabo Ramohlale | CEO | Nunnovation |
| Nneile Nkholise | Founder | Likoebe Innovation Consultants |
| Nokuthula Ndlovu | Founder and Strategic Engagement Partner | Limit Breakers Global Foundation & Barclays Africa Group – Africa Technology |
| Nomso Faith Kana | Managing Director | Sun ’n Shield 84 Technologies; Blaze Away SA, Taungana Africa |
| Nothando Moleketi | COO | ReWare |
| Nunu Ntshingila | Head | Facebook Africa |
| Phadiela Cooper, | Principal, | COSAT High School |
| Pontsho Maruping | Councilor | South African Council for Space Affairs |
| Portia Maurice | Director | Nehanda Group |
| Pria Chetty | Regional Director | EndCode |
| Rapelang Rabana | Founder and CEO | Rekindle Learning |
| Regina Luki Kgatle | Founder and Co-founder | 67 Games, WeSmooth |
| Saidah Nash Carter | Head of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation | Thomson Reuters |
| Samantha Wright | Blogger, Youtuber, Content Creator | TechGirl |
| Sibongile Sambo | Founder and CEO | SRS Aviation Ltd. |
| Sibongiseni Tunzelana Thotsejane | CIO | Flavalite |
| Stephanie Cowper | CEO & Co-Founder | BeSpecular Pty Ltd. |
| Suzana Moreira | Founder | Mowoza |
| Vere Shaba | Owner and Director | Shaba & Ramplin Green Building Solutions |
| Videsha Proothveerajh | Country Manager | Southern Africa Intel |
| Xoliswa Kakana | CEO | ICT-Works Pty Ltd |
| Yolisa Kani, | Public Policy Head | Uber SA |
According to Horbach the Inspiring Fifty platform will achieve more than only educate girls. “Inspiring Fifty South Africa will be part of European platform of talented women in technology and innovation. It will show the caliber of female talent available in South Africa and change the persisting perception about Africa in Europe. There is so much talent here in Africa and now with this amazing list of women, the Inspiring Fifty South Africa, we have the results to prove it,” Horbach says.
These fifty women will go on to inspire and encourage the girls of our country and point out opportunities that they may not have realized were available to them. It is an exciting time for women in technology in South Africa and the best is yet to come.