Hacker Society inspires young women in tech

The Women in Tech & Leadership event recently brought together students, technology professionals, industry advocates, entrepreneurs and members of the university community for discussions on technology, leadership, career development and personal growth. Hosted by the Hacker Society, a student structure under the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the event recently took place at the Soshanguve South Campus.

The initiative aimed to inspire and empower young women while challenging the perception that a career in technology is limited to programming and software development. Attendees were introduced to a wide range of opportunities within the technology sector, including business analysis, technology leadership, entrepreneurship, operations and innovation.

A key message throughout the event was that there is no single pathway into the technology industry. Through personal experiences and professional insights, speakers demonstrated how individuals with diverse interests, skills and personalities can build meaningful careers in ICT.

The programme featured contributions from Khanyisa Xaba, founder of Spark Tech; Precious Mokwena, software developer; Naledi Molefe, business analyst; Lerato Boikanyo, founder of Lady Tech Africa; Dr Elesa Ntuli, TUT lecturer; and Tsholofelo Nkosi, software engineer. Together, they shared valuable perspectives on technology, leadership and professional development.

Their experiences provided students with a realistic understanding of both the opportunities and challenges associated with building a career in the sector. The programme also included interactive discussions, a question-and-answer session and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers and seek advice on their career journeys.

The discussions highlighted the importance of confidence, initiative and a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone. During a software development panel discussion, Tsholofelo Nkosi, a software engineer at MTN Group, remarked that “the world is not friendly to introverts”, prompting reflection on the importance of speaking up, taking initiative and actively pursuing opportunities.

Students were encouraged to recognise that they do not need to have their careers fully mapped out before taking their first steps into the industry. Learning through experience, asking questions, making mistakes and exploring different areas of interest were presented as essential components of professional growth.

Authenticity emerged as another recurring theme. Attendees were encouraged to develop professionally without feeling pressured to change who they are in order to succeed in the technology sector.

For Hacker Society member and Computer Science student, Khanyisile Mdaka one of the most significant lessons was that students do not need to know everything before embarking on their professional journeys. She reflected on the importance of being willing to learn, ask questions and make mistakes while discovering one's strengths and career interests.

The discussions also challenged her perception of what it means to work in technology. She realised that it is possible to build a successful career in ICT without necessarily having a passion for coding, reinforcing the event's message that the technology industry offers diverse career pathways.

Hacker Society member and Computer Science student, Thapelo Dube praised both the diversity of the speakers and the range of topics covered during the programme. He noted that the event provided attendees with exposure to different areas of technology and leadership, while the question-and-answer and networking sessions created valuable opportunities for meaningful engagement with professionals.

“Although the initiative focused primarily on women in technology, the lessons extended beyond the target audience, with everyone in attendance gaining valuable insights,” he said.

The event highlighted the broader importance of conversations about women in technology by promoting awareness, representation and understanding within the technology community. It also provided an environment in which more young people could see themselves participating and succeeding in the sector.

By exposing students to diverse career pathways, encouraging confidence and promoting continuous learning, the Hacker Society is contributing to efforts aimed at preparing TUT students for a rapidly evolving technology industry.