DigiGirlz events make way to Nkangala TVET College

Some reasons for low rates of women and girls participating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) are lack of encouragement, active discouragement, peer pressure and lack of role models just to mention a few. If we can all take the role that Ms. Nomusa Keninda- the Deputy Chairperson of our College Council is playing these reasons would soon disappear. She hosts DigiGirlz event with the aim of empowering grade 9 girls into IT Careers and Coding.

DigiGirlz Event on the 12 May 2018

One remarkable DigiGirlz event was hosted on the 12 May 2018 at Witbank Campus. This is what she has to say about DigiGirlz. “During the event, we invite Microsoft young female employees to interact with the girls about the jobs they are doing at Microsoft through Skype or physical visits.” After the motivation session I introduce the girls into Basic Computer Science –Coding. The girls were fortunate to meet Ms. Khutso Malungane who is a Technical Accounts Manager at Microsoft South Africa. 
Ms Malungane related her humble background from the dusty village of Limpopo but was able to obtain her MBA at the University of Stellebosch.

DigiGirlz at Kgetsa Primary School in Limpopo GaMaja Village 

DigiGirlz event is a Microsoft initiative adopted by Mpumalanga ICT CLUB where Ms. Keninda is a founder and the CEO. “To me its simple to motivate girls into STEM careers, give girls role models, teach them the digital skills they will need to navigate the work place of the future and show them that tech careers will help change the world for the better” says Ms Keninda. Because of her influencial figure in the promotion of girls into technology especially Coding, Ms Keninda and Mpumalanga ICT CLUB has been spreading the DigiGirlz and Coding events across Mpumalanga and other provinces like Limpopo, Gauteng and Western Cape so far.

TTT Coding Workshop at Waterval Boven Campus

Recently, she partnered with SchoolnetSA in hosting Train The Trainer Coding Workshops for teachers. On the 18 August 2018, the workshop was at Witbank Campus, on the 25 August, it was hosted at CN Mahlangu Campus and on the 8th September 2018, Waterval Boven Campus warmly received her with about 70 teachers of eMakhazeni Circuit.

When we ask her why she does what she does? this is what she says “I read a lot about the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) that is changing the way we receive information, how we process it, how we work and what jobs we will do.” It is happening at rapid pace. So we cannot afford to leave our girls behind when women will be playing a critical role in this revolution to benefit our global society.

In addition to what Ms. Keninda is doing in the college council, she is a Motivational Speaker for learners during Schools Career Days and in the Roman Catholic Church. She is also recognised by Microsoft Education as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 2017/2018/2019 (MIEExpert)

“My vision is to empower everyone I touch to lead a change” says Ms. Keninda. The college prides itself to have a visionary leader in its governing structure.  We hope everyone will assist her in endeavour to motivate more girls into STEM careers within our college community.