Teens changing the world one byte at a time

09 December 2016 - 09:51 By JAN BORNMAN
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Fifteen-year-old Nomusa Soza wants to build a long career for herself in technology while challenging stereotypes in a male-dominated industry.

"People think technology is only for men, and it's wrong. Anyone can do it .and I'm going to prove it," she said.

Nomusa, a Grade 10 pupil at Sebesta High School in Soweto, wants to use technology to create a better world.

"I want to use technology to help my community, my country and the world," she said.

Nomusa, along with 34 of her classmates, is part of The Girls in Technology Youth Programme run this week by the Barclays Africa Technology team.

The programme helps expose girls to technology, starting them early on a path to careers in computing and software development.

Lee-Anne Wyman, co-ordinator from Young Talent which runs the programme, said the project started last year with the group of 35 girls.

During the December and June school holidays they spend a week learning about technology.

During the week they are mentored by successful women in the science, technology, economics, and mathematics sectors.

"We expose them to various aspects of the world of technology in order to address the shortage of skills within the technology environment, and especially to address the shortage of skilled females in this sector," Wyman said.

"We are going to be playing a very active role in terms of monitoring their academics and providing support where support is required.

"The ultimate aim is to build a pipeline for African technology."

The pupils will be supported throughout and once they complete matric, stand a chance of being given internships and bursaries in the technology industry.

One of the exercises the girls did this week was to identify a problem in their community and come up with solutions for that problem using technology.

Zenande Jika, 16, and her group wanted to use technology to make education more accessible to pupils who don't have textbooks or aren't able to attend class.

"I want to see myself making changes in the world," she said.

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