Profiles

Woman of the Week: Dr Phathokuhle Zondi

Aug 7, 2023 in COO, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Dr Phathokuhle Zondi
Designation: COO & Clinical Lead
Company: Unu Health

What do you do every day?
No single day is the same at Unu Health and there’s a lot to love about that. In general, however, I spend my days looking into the future of Unu (strategy, people, performance) and also supporting current day-to-day activity that ensures client satisfaction. As Clinical Lead, I am responsible for the co-design and implementation of clinical protocols ensuring that Unu Health delivers safe and effective healthcare services to members.

How did you get into the tech space?
In the context of the question – tech found me. In its very early days, I was invited, through a colleague, to a conversation about Unu Health. The rest is history – I was hooked on the vision, purpose, and mechanism. It’s a no-brainer really, the only way we will bridge the gap we have in healthcare is by leveraging technology in various ways. It’s the only way to enable equitable access and quality – at scale and for all.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Pick your battles. Some battles aren’t worth your tears (and makeup) – walk away. Others are worth every last fight you have in you, every bruise, and every metaphorical broken bone. And when those come, you need to be ready, calm, and resilient.

What advise would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Don’t strive to be an expert in tech – you’ll never know everything there is to know about tech because the landscape changes too quickly. Rather aim to be an expert in mastering and adapting to the changes and progress in tech.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Knowing that we’re making a difference to the people currently using our platform and, equally important, we’re making a difference to the landscape just by existing and pushing boundaries that change the way people access, experience and pay for healthcare. This difference is being felt by thousands of South Africans right now, and in time, will change the lives of millions of Africans. Who wouldn’t get up for that?

What do you want to be when you grow up one day?
Without being smug, I honestly feel like I’m living the grown-up dream. The dream isn’t the role, it’s the process. The process of learning, unlearning, relearning, adapting, being impactful, staying relevant – being whoever my environment (and the world) needs me to be so that it’s better off. I always said that when I grow up I want to have passion, purpose, and love.

Women In Tech: Women’s Day Q&A with Shanaaz Trethewey

Aug 7, 2023 in CEO, Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Shanaaz Trethewey
Designation: Chief Operating Officer
Company: Comcorp South Africa

Shanaaz Trethewey is an inspiration, not only for her leadership and organisational capabilities but also her role as a woman in the tech space.

She is passionate about the role businesses play to service society through technology especially as the reliance on technology is embedded in our thinking, behaviours, and society. She shares her thoughts on women in the tech space.

How did you get into the tech space?
 I got into the tech space incidentally and also married a software engineer. I had a realisation that everything we do is in some way or form digitally enabled which made her believe the distinction between commercial and technical is not a useful one.

We have these differentiated skills within our organisations, but tech is part of our everyday DNA – meaning that to make an impact going forward, it was to immerse myself in understanding this.

Why do you love your work and the tech sector?
I love my work and tech sector because it isn’t about coding – it’s about how something as dynamic as human challenges are solved. Something that is colourful, and dynamic is converted to a solution and into binary. And that binary could become complex – but it’s empowering to introduce the nugget of value to the world.

To think we have the power to translate what we need into products – by combining what appears to be two ends of the scale is incredibly fascinating.

I love solving problems and taking complexity and making things look simple or at least feel simple. It’s a triumph of our collective intellect.

What is you take on the gender gap in the tech sector?
I have never let this define my own progress. I can see from the stats that there is a divide and a gap…one that is slowly being reduced. The growth and pervasive nature of tech will help reduce this. If we think it’s about sitting in a corner and spitting out zeros and ones, then I think it’s going to be a niche skill set and extract very specific people – gender aside.

However, the social, and interactive dynamic that tech represents today, offers everyone an opportunity- across gender, across skillsets and across socio-economic categories to play a role in defining what it looks like in the future.

What are your views and own way of doing the groundwork that future generations of women will benefit from?
Being authentic and unapologetically me. By modelling this and remaining resilient I can deliver what I can in the best way possible. There is a great deal of emphasis on what others say and what people do; a sense of social pressures that make us believe that we should look or act a certain way. And although I fundamentally believe we should conform to certain etiquettes to enable us to work together – being anything other than yourself could mean we are enabling future generations to be a “canned” society. Creativity and problem solving comes from being authentic and learning how to make the differences between us count positively. And that includes gender.

How should young females view the tech sector as?
An opportunity to express problem solving, innovation towards solving some real human challenges. It’s exciting to know that something that has come from a mere idea can make an impact at scale – it’s incredible. It’s about being a part of something bigger, and understanding that the limit is oneself as opposed to physical strength or what you look like. In a knowledge world, there are no limits. And for this reason, it’s a place with the most opportunity to flourish.

What is your best advice to other women – and also tips on how to get into the sector?
Or tips on how to grow and find their own niche?
Conformity gets you only so far, whilst authenticity takes you all the way. Listen more and be clear on how what you have to say translates to another person. In respecting others, you are respecting yourself. If faced with criticism or difficulty, I remind myself that what we do today will make tomorrow easier. And what I learn today will strengthen my tolerance and perspective tomorrow.

Women in Tech of the Month: Kutlwano Rawana

May 18, 2023 in Chief of people, Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Kutlwano Rawana
Designation: Chief of People
Company: Rectron

What do you do every day?
I guide effective and value add utilisation of human capital resources within the business including being responsible for the HR business partner function, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, Remuneration & Benefits, Health & Safety and transformation across all of our branches.

How did you get into the tech space?
I was head hunted from my previous employer and when approached by Rectron, was keen on being part of a different industry as I had historically been a “retail girl”.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Something that my mother always preached to me as a young girl growing up and also echoed in one of my favourite quotes, “Originality implies being bold enough to go beyond accepted norms” – Anthony Stor. Future sustainability and an improved society for generations to come will be further enabled through us, women, in continuing to break historical barriers and stereotypes. We should never just conform to norms and accept what society traditionally expects us to be.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
The tech industry requires a personality open to new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. A person going into this industry must be courageous to embrace the constantly changing environment and continuous learning hunger.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
What motivates me is that just a shy of 400 families of Rectron employees’ livelihoods, our customers, stakeholders and the sustainability of the business I serve, depends on the collective decision making processes I’m a part of, daily. It’s a huge responsibility and one I never take for granted.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
To achieve more and implement more changes in the ICT sector for women.

Women in Tech of the Month: Michaela de Bruyn

Oct 11, 2022 in Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Michaela de Bruyn
Designation: BI Analyst
Company: Pep

What do you do every day?
As a BI Analyst, I analyse and compile data needed to identify trends and patterns in order to assist the business with making informative decisions. I am currently freelancing as a web developer and also studying my Bachelor of Science in IT.

How did you get into the tech space?
As a child I had always wanted to be in the tech industry but had little to no knowledge about it. I have always had a passion for problem solving and finding new ways of doing things.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Never stop learning.
Never allow anything to shift your focus from your goals.
Small steps in the right direction are better than big steps in the wrong direction.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Be consistent.
Be teachable and willing to learn.
Grab opportunities with both hands.
Little progress is better than no progress.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
My daughter and family.
My personal goals.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
After obtaining my Phd in Computer Science, I definitely want to mentor young women wanting to be in the tech field.

Women in Tech of the Week: Mandy Duncan

Oct 11, 2022 in Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Mandy Duncan
Designation: Country Manager
Company: Aruba

What do you do every day?
Professionally, as the Aruba Country Manager South Africa at Aruba, I am responsible for driving the Aruba business via my sales team, channel teams, partners and distribution.

Personally, I am constantly in trying to improve my interpersonal skills, which enable me to forge and maintain relationships with those in the ICT industry. In my current position, it is vital to be fair, impartial and manage conflict with integrity. It is also important to continuously look at what’s next for our customers, teams and channel partners to ensure we help evolve their business and become a trusted vendor for their business

How did you get into the tech space?
My career that includes 20 years in the ICT industry is evidence of my passion for technology. My current role has been a progression of hard work, mentoring, and fantastic contacts I have made along the way from working with both vendors and distributors within the ICT industry, helping to guide me in this direction.

Coming into the ICT sector with little to no management and sales experience, I quickly learnt the importance of education and staying up to date with new products, technologies and opportunities within the field. I feel like we never stop learning and it is never too late for somebody who has a passion for technology to make the leap into the world of technology. Today tech is everywhere and the opportunities within the tech space are only getting bigger and better. It has also been key to always raise your hand when opportunities arise even when you have a little bit of self-doubt that you may not have all the attributes they asking for. Take on the role and learn on the job!

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To believe in myself. I think self-doubt is the biggest challenge anyone and especially women in technology fields will face.

Build strong networks within the industry and out. Have mentors, coaches, friends and people you look up to

Set achievable goals for yourself. Give yourself milestones to reach so that you are setting yourself up for success.

Be present and enjoy the ride.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Technology has changed the world it can enhance our lives and our businesses in so many ways. It is a great equaliser and as long as we continue to present it as a viable career option to all we can continue to increase diversity within the industry. I would advise anyone looking at technology to consider their abilities, strengths and weaknesses, conduct their research into new and emerging tech environments. My final advice is to continue upskilling and focusing on giving your best performance at all times, as you never know from where or who your next opportunity may arise from.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
With all the current events and negativity around the world, I try look at the positive side of things and ask myself, what difference can I make today? Having the opportunity and responsibility of managing an amazing company like Aruba keeps me on my toes at all times as we try find new ways of adding value to our customers and clients.

Ultimately though, mentoring our team, creating strategies for clients, and enjoying time with the people that matter most is what motivates me to get out of bed during the week. However, over the weekend I am as passionate about golf as I am about IT, which makes getting out of bed extremely easy when you know you are on the way to the course!

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
I really want to be the best version of myself and be recognised by my peers, teams, customers, friends and family for being a person with integrity and compassion. I vineyard owner would be next best choice.

How is Aruba reducing the gender gap within the technology industry?
There is no question women are in the minority in the tech industry, from the general workforce up through management and leadership roles. To address gender inequality, businesses need to embed diversity and inclusion into company culture from day one.

I think it is extremely important that women see other women in senior roles or as leaders because it shows an organisation values diversity and provides an example to hopefully inspire others to continue striving towards their dream job within technology fields.

Women in Tech of the Week: Gabi Immelman

Feb 22, 2022 in CEO, Founder, Profiles, Women in Tech

Name: Gabi Immelman
Designation: Founder and CEO
Company: Mindjoy

What do you do every day?
I try play in expert mode at Mindjoy.

We are working to keep growing our inbound leads so that we can unlock the potential of children, ages 8-14 by connecting them to peers and projects that they love learning to code with. Our goal is to prepare youngsters with the critical digital and collaborative skills required for the future of work. We also aim to build children’s confidence in expressing themselves through technology.

How did you get into the tech space?
My desire is to have an impact beyond serving a small group of children at a micro-school I ran and leverage that technology in to larger communities.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Discipline = Freedom

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Focus is underrated. Start super small and and experiment weekly. The faster you can figure out how to get things done and develop a weekly executional cadence the more likely you are to make progress.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Forget about getting out of bed, trying to create experiences where kids can find self-expression through building with technology keeps me in the fight. It is all for the moments where a child realises that they now have a superpower allowing them to make many valuable insights.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
An astronaut
But I’ll settle for a pirate

Women in Tech of the Week: Vhonani Queen

Jan 24, 2022 in Operations, Profiles, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Name: Vhonani Queen
Designation: ICT Specialist: Unified Communications
Company: Government Printing Works

What do you do every day?
Managing SCCM (i.e. Patch Management, Antivirus Management, Manage 3rd Party Applications etc.) – Managing Microsoft Active Directory – Managing Microsoft Exchange Server – Managing Microsoft Lync / Skype for business Server and Teams – Managing DHCP & DNS Servers – Managing ICT Service Desk (Microsoft System Centre Service Manager) – Managing SCOM – Managing Windows Server 2008 R2 / 2012 R2/ 2016/ 2019 – Supporting VMware Infrastructure (Servers, VDI’s and view-persona) – Managing GPO’s – Supporting Microsoft SharePoint sites – Managing Fileserver and Printers.

How did you get into the tech space?
I studied Bcom Business Information Systems motivated with the interest of working with computers and how they function.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
You can be anything you want to be and there’s nothing anyone hasn’t experienced out there in the world when you come across challenges in this field make google your best friend and you will be exposed to so much information to help resolve your issues.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
My advice would be do not be friend of challenges and embrace failure for that is where real learning happens, be self motivated and don’t be afraid as well to push yourself to the limit.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Knowing that my environment is operating as expected and thinking of how to make it better from what it is by looking at what’s new out there and what benefits it bring to make work more interesting and fun.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
There’s not a lot of female CIO’s so one day I would love to see myself adding to the small ratio.

Women in Tech of the Month: Kate Farina

Dec 5, 2021 in Founder, Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Kate Farina
Designation: Co-Founder
Company: Be In Touch (Pty) Ltd

What do you do every day?
Be in Touch is a team of digital family wellness activists. Our business focuses on upskilling parents (primarily mothers) to understand the digital world their kids are heading into, both good and bad, and to empower them to protect, manage, monitor, guide and mentor their kids as they go online. We simplify what it means and what it takes to be a digital parent in today’s busy online-offline, one life world, and provide practical tools and solutions to give parents peace of mind, and keep kids safer and saner!

How did you get into the tech space?
I left a multi-portfolio governance executive role at one of South Africa’s largest corporates, to pursue a passion for making the world around me a better place. I loved the component of my job that entailed mentoring other women in the corporate environment, many of them mothers trying to juggle it all. Now, instead of mentoring their career development, I mentor their child development and protection! I have a teen and tween, so am right in the same space as so many other parents who are busy with so many priorities, and digital parenting feels like another heavy burden.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Don’t hide your light, there are people in the dark who really need it, to find their way out!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
I have an environmental legal background and am now in a very technical field, where I have to grapple with device, app and game settings, and how we can make tech safer for our kids to use! I capitalise my non-tech background to make and keep things simple for others. The point is that the tech field is wide open to so many different applications and opportunities.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
That there are parents and a family to whom I can bring peace of mind and a safer, saner online journey.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
A star in the night sky, that can help parents navigate their way