WOMEN in innovation and leadership dialogue 2022

By: Zukhanye Qabe

Twitter: @JustZukhanye

Email: zukhanyeqabe11@gmail.com

Like any other event, women always fill up the venue. The event was first hosted last year in August. This year the event was hosted on the 19^th of August 2022 at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

The event started at 10’oclock and people were allowed to come in 30 minutes before to have some tea and register. The event was opened by Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka who highlighted that this event is an annual event held in TUT.

Outside the venue

The aim of the event is to promote the reasonable representation of women in innovation, to move, build, define and design the world for a better future through women contribution in the development of innovative technologies for societal benefits.

This event was hosted by TUT in partnership with City of Tshwane to celebrate women in innovation and leadership with the theme Women leading tech and innovation re-imagine the future in innovation.

The programme of the event was divided into two, from ten until twelve. The first half the panel discussed the topic Technologies shaping the future of work. It was facilitated by Ms Palesa Antony with Ms Klariska Moodley, Prof Anne Mason and Adv Thando Gumede as panellists.

During break time, I asked around what are people expecting on the second round of the event. The link below is an audio of their answers.

https://soundcloud.com/zukhanye-qabe/during-the-break?si=257f14c07f67477989e0055aef1aa6a3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

I really loved that the event was not only attended face to face but also joined online via MS Teams. On the second panel discussion, it was facilitated by Ms. Elizabeth Selloane Masoleng discussing What can be done to encourage women to step towards innovation and leadership. Ms Zanele Monnakgotla, Ms Sonwabise Mzinyathi, Dr Palesa Sekhejane and Prof Vinessa Naidoo were the panellists for the discussion.

The weather was so cold outside with some wind, but because of the awards and prices the room was warm. Before the vote of thanks, Ms Phaphama Tshisikhawe who is the spokesperson for TUT announced the South African Mask Innovation challenge winners.

The video linked below is a video of the recipients collecting the awards.

Ms Sihle Gqadu who won R100 000 shared some inspiring words for those who wants to follow after her footsteps.

https://soundcloud.com/zukhanye-qabe/sihle-gqadu1?si=257f14c07f67477989e0055aef1aa6a3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

I enjoyed the event, time was managed properly, and the food was nice. Outside the venue there were different organisations that did not only promote or offer their products but they offered some mini classes about their products.

One of the organisations, that was outside the venue