Three-part webinar series empower women through technology, wellness and financial wisdom

August, a month dedicated to celebrating women's achievements and advancing gender empowerment, provided an ideal platform for innovation, leadership and personal growth at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on TUT's Polokwane Campus.

In the course of the month, a three-part Women's Month webinar series brought together accomplished professionals and aspiring leaders to share knowledge, exchange experiences and inspire one another while equipping participants with practical skills to solve real-world problems, develop entrepreneurial thinking, strengthen their professional confidence and take greater control of their financial futures. The initiative reflected a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women to learn, connect and grow both personally and professionally.

Bringing together students, academics and accomplished professionals, the series explored themes ranging from technology and innovation to professional development, health and wellness, financial empowerment and entrepreneurship.

According to Dr Khuliso Sigama, Academic Manager of Computer Science at the Polokwane Campus, the initiative created an important platform for intergenerational knowledge sharing. “This is an initiative where the old and young are going to learn from each other. We honour inspiring journeys and bold ideas on how to uplift each other and stay empowered,” he said. 

The series commenced with a session on Design Thinking and Digital Empowerment, encouraging participants to look beyond technology itself and consider the people and problems technology is intended to solve.

Kwanele Mazibuko, a master’s candidate at the Durban University of Technology whose research focuses on the Internet of Things (IoT), challenged students to think critically about the purpose behind the products and solutions they develop to ensure customer satisfaction.

“When developing a product, who are you developing it for and what problems are they facing?” she asked. Her message was clear: innovation is not simply about creating something new. It is about understanding people, identifying genuine challenges and developing solutions that provide meaningful and lasting value.

The session also featured Zama Khumalo, founder of KZN Tech Mbokodo, who turned the spotlight to the importance of building strong technology brands. She emphasised that successful branding requires authenticity, while also ensuring that a brand is recognisable and relatable to the audience it seeks to serve.

Together, the speakers encouraged students to approach innovation with both creativity and purpose.

The second webinar shifted the conversation from technology to professional presence, health and wellness.

Philistus Motsekebatho Masebe from the Motse Innovation Centre, shared practical advice on navigating the professional world and making a positive impression in the workplace. She encouraged participants to understand their values and morals, communicate professionally, maintain positive body language, dress appropriately and approach challenges with the right attitude. At the heart of her message was the importance of confidence; not simply in how one looks, but in how one conducts oneself and responds to opportunities and challenges.

The conversation was complemented by Dr Rudo Ramalisa-Budeli, who addressed the equally important issue of mental and physical well-being. She encouraged women to prioritise their health, continuously work towards improving their overall well-being and take concerning symptoms seriously rather than ignoring them.

The session reinforced an important message: professional success and personal well-being should not be viewed separately. Looking after oneself is an essential part of building a sustainable and fulfilling career. 

The final webinar brought the series to a close with a focus on financial empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Palesa Ledwaba, a sales and service team leader at Nedbank, equipped participants with practical insights into budgeting, saving, credit management and understanding investments.

Her advice encouraged students to think beyond their immediate financial circumstances and consider the long-term impact of the decisions they make today.

“Your future self depends on the decisions you are making today. Building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint,” she said.

The session provided a valuable reminder that financial empowerment begins with knowledge and informed decision-making, emphasising that developing healthy financial habits early can lay the foundation for greater financial independence in the future. 

While the webinar series formed part of the Faculty’s women’s month celebrations, its lessons extend well beyond August.

Across the three sessions, students were encouraged to think differently, present themselves confidently, prioritise their well-being and take greater ownership of their financial futures. More importantly, the series created a platform where women could share experiences, exchange knowledge and inspire the next generation to pursue their ambitions.

For the Faculty of ICT, the initiative demonstrated that empowering women in technology is about more than increasing participation in the sector. It is also about equipping young women with the confidence, knowledge and resilience to shape the future of technology and their own futures.