Top 5 Women In Tech In South Africa

South Africa is home to a growing community of inspiring women making waves in the tech industry. From establishing innovative startups to leading global tech initiatives, these trailblazers are breaking barriers and setting the stage for the next generation of women in tech. Their different innovative solutions and groundbreaking ventures are shaping the future of technology in the country and inspiring other women to dream big and pursue careers in technology.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five of these remarkable women. We will talk about their initiatives, inspiring journeys, achievements, and their impact on the South African tech industry. Let’s get right into it!

Table of Contents

Adriana Marais

Adriana Marais is a South African theoretical physicist and technologist, passionately advocating for exploring life beyond Earth. She’s the founder of Proudly Human, an organization that not only focuses on preparing for future off-world settlements but also works to improve the lives of communities already living in some of the harshest conditions on our planet. Through her Off-World Project, Marais leads a series of experiments in Earth’s most extreme environments to understand how humans can survive and thrive in places like the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Adriana Marais earned her BSc Honors in theoretical physics with first-class distinction from the University of Cape Town. She also completed a Master’s in quantum cryptography and a PhD in quantum biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She currently directs the Foundation for Space Development Africa, where she’s working on a groundbreaking initiative, the Africa2Moon Project, which aims to send Africa’s first mission to the Moon.

With her impressive qualifications and trailblazing work in both technology and scientific research, Marais is a recipient of multiple international honors. In 2015, she received the prestigious L’Oreal-UNESCO International Rising Talent Award and in 2020, she was among the five global finalists for the Women in Tech’s Most Disruptive Women in Tech Award. She was also appointed Chair of Space Sciences for the Tod’Aérs Global Network (TGN) in 2020 and she is now a member of its Governing Board.

Mmaki Jantjies

Dr. Mmaki Jantjies is a South African computer scientist passionate about leveraging technology to improve society. Driven by this mission, she recently founded a non-profit organization that equips young people with essential STEM skills. She also collaborated with the U.N. Women and the Mozilla Foundation to establish the Peo Ya Phetogo, an organization dedicated to inspiring young South Africans to pursue technology as a career or business opportunity.

As an educator, Dr. Jantjies also focuses on empowering teachers by providing the training they need to effectively teach digital literacy and prepare students for a tech-driven future. She is also an Associate Professor of Information Systems, actively contributing to academic technological advancements.

As an academician, Dr. Mmaki’s academic achievements include two undergraduate degrees: one in Information Systems and Accounting from North West University and the other in Informatics from the University of Pretoria. She also has a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Warwick and a Master’s in Computing from Oxford Brookes University. She is recognized as one of Africa’s leading voices in tech, especially in educational technology.

Dr. Mmaki Jantjies has earned several prestigious awards for her impactful work. In 2016, she was recognized by the Mozilla Foundation as one of 50 individuals making the internet a better place. That same year, she was also the USA runner-up in the MTN Partnership for Change Women in Technology awards. In 2017 she made the Mail and Guardian’s list of 200 Young South African Leaders. She was also named one of 50 Inspiring Women in Technology by CoCreate and the Netherlands Consulate.

Beyond her achievements and impact in the academic space and tech space, Dr. Mmaki is also highly regarded in the professional world. She currently holds the position of Group Executive of Innovation and Transformation at a leading South African telecommunications company, where she drives forward-thinking solutions.

Emma Dicks

Emma Dicks is a true innovator, passionate about helping young people bring their creative ideas to life through tech education. She believes in the power of technology as a vital, in-demand skill, and has dedicated herself to running educational tech programs across South Africa.

One of her standout projects is Code4CapeTown (Code4CT), an 18-month program to equip high school girls with I.T. and computer skills such as web development, coding, and design thinking. She also co-founded and directed Codespace Academy, a South African institution dedicated to teaching coding and software development to the next generation. With all these educational tech programs, she plans to make a mark on the South African education system by devoting her time to educating others.

Emma holds a Business Sciences and Marketing degree from the University of Cape Town and studied Exchange and Economics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her work and various initiatives have earned global recognition, including accolades from Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Network, Google, The Shuttleworth Foundation, and Mail & Guardian. Notably, in 2015, she was honored with the Queen’s Young Leader Award, presented by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.

Baratang Miya

Baratang Miya is the visionary behind the Buza App, an innovative platform that makes tech education more accessible to diverse communities by teaching digital skills in indigenous languages. She also founded GirlHype, a groundbreaking nonprofit initiative that empowers women and girls across Africa through tech training and digital literacy workshops. By offering hands-on learning in coding and app development, she is helping girls in underprivileged communities gain the skills they need to thrive in the tech industry, and access the opportunities that were once out of reach.

Baratang holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial psychology, a postgraduate diploma in marketing management from the University of Cape Town, and additional qualifications from the International School of Technology in Brazil. She’s worked with various tech companies, including Adobe, Mozilla, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and the United Nations Women. As a passionate advocate for closing the gender gap in tech, this wealth of qualifications and experience gives her a unique advantage in rallying governments, corporations, and civil society to invest in the digital and tech education of women and girls.

Baratang currently serves as the deputy chair of the Multi-Stakeholder Committee of the South African Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF). She also holds executive positions in Silicon Cape and the National Black IT Forum, while being a strategic national partner in the “We the Internet” Initiative.

Alongside her numerous accolades, she was recognized by the U.S. government as an emerging leader in tech education and entrepreneurship. Since then, her expertise has been sought by organizations like the United Nations and the South African School on Internet Governance Forum. Her unrivaled achievements in the technological field and remarkable contributions to South Africa’s tech landscape undoubtedly make her one of the top five women in charge of the country’s tech industry.

Zandile Keebine Mkwanazi

Zandile Keebine is a software developer dedicated to making the tech industry more accessible and welcoming for girls and women worldwide. In 2014, she co-founded GirlCode, initially as a women-only hackathon to address the gender gap in tech. Today, as the chair of GirlCode, she’s helped transform it into an educational institution that empowers women by offering skills development and creating opportunities for them to break into the tech industry.

In 2012, Zandile bagged her computational and applied mathematics bachelor’s degree from the University of Witwatersrand. Afterward, she discovered her love and passion for software development when she joined the Johannesburg Centre of Engineering Coachlab program while pursuing her Master’s Degree. Since then, she has dedicated her time to working in the ICT sector, where she has delivered several projects, providing innovative solutions and designing software solutions for different clients across continents.

Zandile and her team at GirlCode are driven by a vision to make the initiative Africa’s leading digital hub for young girls and women aspiring to enter the tech world. Their goal is to provide these women in tech with countless opportunities, connecting them with experienced professionals from top ICT companies. Through this mentorship and support, they’re helping women gain the skills and knowledge they need to carve out successful careers in the tech industry.

Honorable Mentions

Lindiwe Matlali

Lindiwe Matlali is an inspiring educator, technology enthusiast, and social entrepreneur committed to bridging the digital divide. She is the founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks, one of Africa’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to computer science education.

Nneile Nkholise

Nneile Nkholise is a South African innovator with a strong background in mechanical engineering. She founded iMed Tech Group, a biotech company that creates custom-made medical devices, including prostheses for cancer survivors. By blending engineering with medical expertise, Nneile leverages 3D printing and advanced manufacturing to offer life-changing solutions tailored to individual patient needs.

Benji Coetzee

Benji Coetzee is a notable entrepreneur and executive with a diverse background in strategy, investment banking, and technology development. She is the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at KPN, a major telecommunications company in the Netherlands. Before this role, Benji held leadership positions at VodafoneZiggo, where she played a crucial role in transforming digital channels for both B2C and B2B segments.

Sewagodimo Matlapeng

Sewagodimo Matlapeng is a South African software engineer and entrepreneur dedicated to uplifting women in tech. She founded Indoni Developers, an organization that offers career support, mentorship, and skills development to help women build lasting careers in software development. She shares her tech journey on her YouTube channel, Sunshine in My Code, where she posts coding tutorials and inspires others to pursue technology careers.

Karen Nadasen

Karen Nadasen is another standout leader in South Africa’s tech scene, best known for her role as the CEO of PayU South Africa. When she stepped in as Country Manager during a challenging period, she led the company to a remarkable 400% growth. Her leadership has been vital in turning the company around and driving its success.

Conclusion

These women are redefining the tech industry in South Africa, inspiring girls and women everywhere through their work. Their stories are those of determination and vision, worthy of emulation for anyone entering the tech world and desiring to make an impact. As they continue to push boundaries and create new opportunities for other women in tech in South Africa, they are proving to us all that the future of tech is more about making bold moves and being visionary.

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