Country of origin
South Africa
Which company do you work for?
Standard Bank
What is your specific area of specialisation?
Data Science
How long have you been in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields?
6 years
As a woman in a male dominated industry, what has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
My journey has been one that has been filled with many highs and lows as a young black woman in a male dominated industry. I have had to learn quite early in my career the importance of having a voice and standing up for what I believe in and of course backing it up with the skills as well as expertise that have allowed my work to do the talking for me
What inspired you to join this industry?
Through my NPO (Tech In Heels Foundation) and career, I am striving to create a representation of women in the technology industry. My passion is uplifting women and equipping them with the skills needed to advance in a male dominated industry.
In South Africa, 23% of women are occupy technology roles and of that number a very small margin are in leadership roles. The lack of representation of women in technology has fuelled my desire to earn my stripes within the industry by upskilling myself in multiple areas of technology – this helps me to pay these learnings forward to help upskill other women too. My aim is to become a future woman leader who empowers and uplifts other women in technology by being a beacon of hope and change wherever I set my foot.
What changes, if any, have you seen in your field with regards to women in your field?
I’ve seen more women in tech start having a voice and starting to stand up for themselves as well as demand the respect we so graciously deserve.
How can we attract more women to consider a career in the STEM fields?
“We NEED more women in STEM fields because we need to start writing and sharing our own narrative as well as telling our own stories that will not only inspire those who will come after us, but stories that will help challenge, shape and create inclusive work spaces that will encourage and EMPOWER women to lead in STEM fields” – Nothando L Magagula
That is one of my quotes that I feel can help attract more women in STEM fields, other women need to see that they have a representation of other women that they can look up to and be able aspire to be like them.
If you were to advise other young women starting their careers in the tech or within the STEM fields, what is the one thing you would say to them?
My advice to young women in tech is to continue to grow as leaders in tech and empower as many young girls as you can. Inspire the young girl child that it is possible to “take up space and cement ourselves” in whatever areas we want to find ourselves actively participating in and bringing value in. Continue to bring about change in our youth and women as I believe when we unite as individuals with dreams to pursue, we become a nation with a vision to work towards.
When not working, what do you do for fun?
I am a serious fast car fanatic – hence I drive a really cool fast machine 😉 so I enjoy car shows and drag races. I also love creating digital content, so photography is my fave because of that. Also I’m an introvert so I also enjoy spending time indoors just lazing around.
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