Third-year TUT student earns Wired4Women nomination for tech excellence

Bongiwe Mokhati, third-year TUT student, earns a Wired4Women Awards nomination recognising her academic excellence and growing impact in South Africa’s ICT sector.

Bongiwe Mokhati The Diploma in Computer Science (Extended) student at the Tshwane University of Technology, has secured a nomination in the Top Tech Student category at the Wired4Women Awards, presented by the Wired4Women Tech Forum and ITWeb Brainstorm. The Awards recognise women making a real difference in South Africa’s tech sector. The programme features 13 categories celebrating executives, pioneers, mentors, entrepreneurs, innovators, rising stars and students.

The 2026 Wired4Women Awards Gala will take place on 16 April 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg, celebrating excellence in the country’s ICT sector.

Mokhati’s path into technology was not always clear. She initially enrolled in Electrical Engineering before discovering her passion for Computer Science, sparked during high school. She now focuses on programming, systems development and emerging technologies.

Beyond academics, Mokhati has built a strong profile through involvement in the Hacker Society, AWSCloudClub@TUT and the Spark mentorship programme. These platforms have enabled her to develop leadership skills while mentoring fellow students.

Despite challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, Mokhati remains resilient and focused. She uses her work to challenge perceptions and demonstrate her capabilities.

She aims to advance her skills in cloud computing and software development and inspire more young women to pursue careers in technology. Her nomination positions her as a rising voice for representation and empowerment in the digital age.