Beyond Bro Code: Empowering a New Generation of South African Women in Tech
The empowerment of the next generation of South African women is inextricably linked to their fluency in technology. The focus is shifting from simply being users of technology to becoming creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. The initiatives that are gaining significant momentum are those equipping young women with the digital and entrepreneurial skills to build a future, not just participate in it.
Empowering the Next Generation
Programmes like InnovateHER 2025 and the TechnoGirl Trust are at the forefront of this movement. They are providing invaluable training in a suite of skills that are essential for the digital economy. It is not enough to just teach basic coding anymore; the new frontier is about design thinking, a methodology that helps young women develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. They're learning AI prompting, the critical skill of communicating effectively with artificial intelligence to generate new ideas, automate processes, and create content. Furthermore, the rise of low-code/no-code development is democratising technology, allowing young women to build applications and websites without needing a deep background in computer science, turning them from passive consumers into active creators. The impact of such programmes is clear. Research shows that while women hold a mere 23% of tech jobs in South Africa, these initiatives are crucial for building a talent pipeline that can begin to close that gap. In fact, companies with diverse leadership teams report 19% higher innovation revenue, a statistic that proves diversity is not just a social good, but a strategic business imperative.
This emphasis on skill development is not happening in a vacuum. It is inspired by a new generation of local female role models who are living proof of what is possible. These are the women who have broken through barriers and are now paving the way for others. There's Baratang Miya, the founder of GirlHYPE, who has made it her mission to empower girls and young women with coding skills. Then there's Zandile Keebine, the CEO of GirlCode, a non-profit that is actively closing the gender gap in the tech industry. And we can't forget Lindiwe Matlali, the founder of Africa Teen Geeks, whose work has inspired thousands of children to get excited about science and technology. These women are not just names; they are living testaments to the power of technology to transform lives and build a more equitable future. They are showing that with the right skills and the right support, young South African women can solve the problems of today and invent the technologies of tomorrow.
Breaking Barriers in STEM
The conversation now extends to addressing the gender gap in STEM and creative fields. It is a critical dialogue that highlights the importance of providing supportive environments where women can not only enter these fields but also thrive. This involves proactively challenging unconscious biases that can subtly, yet powerfully, hinder women's progress. It's about ensuring that women are not just present, but are actively represented in leadership and decision-making roles, where their unique perspectives can shape the future of technology and design.
The statistics paint a vivid picture of the current state of affairs. According to a 2024 IITPSA ICT Skills Survey, women make up just 13% of all STEM graduates in South Africa. The disparity becomes even more pronounced in leadership, with women holding only 5% of CEO positions in South African ICT companies. This suggests a "leaky pipeline" where women who start in STEM are not advancing to the highest levels. This is compounded by the fact that women in the STEM workforce in South Africa earn roughly 28% less than their male colleagues for similar roles, a staggering figure that highlights a deep-seated issue of financial inequality.
Furthermore, a significant part of this discussion centres on the role of institutional support. The importance of government initiatives and research funding that specifically prioritises women-led research is a key topic. By directing resources to projects helmed by women, we can accelerate innovation, create a more diverse body of knowledge, and build a tech ecosystem that is more representative of the society it serves. The government’s launch of the Women in Technology and Innovation Programme in March 2025 is a crucial step, providing access to funding and mentorship. This programme is designed to counteract the grim reality that in Africa, female CEOs in the tech ecosystem received a paltry 2% of total funding in 2024, a figure that has declined sharply in recent years.
In conclusion, a systemic approach is vital for ensuring that the pipelines of talent we are nurturing today have clear and equitable pathways to leadership in the years to come. Ultimately, a whole-of-society approach is needed, where government, industry, academia, and civil society work together to dismantle these barriers and unlock the full potential of women in technology.