MEET OUR 2019 #InspiringFiftySA WINNERS!
This year marks the 3rd edition of #InspiringFiftySA Awards. We're once again impressed with the calibre of winners for #InspiringFiftySA. There are so many strong South African women in STEM! Here's to another 50 in the limelight, and rightfully so.
#InspiringFiftySA aims to increase diversity in tech, by boosting the visibility of female role models in STEM. It is a non-profit initiative that originated in The Netherlands and was brought to South Africa, by former Consul General, Bonnie Horbach in 2017. Our mission is to inspire more girls and young women to choose a career in STEM and our motto is very simple, namely that; “if she can see it then she can be it!”
Congratulations to the role models of tomorrow's future women leaders in STEM. You are proof that it is possible to reap the fruits of your hard work and talent. We have so much respect for you ladies!" said Sebastiaan Messerschmidt, Netherlands Consul General.
Ellen Fischat, The South African Ambassador for #InspiringFiftySA since 2018, says she was blown away by the talent and internationally recognized work of these amazing STEM trailblazers in South Africa.
Anita Nel, a 2018 #InspiringFiftySA Winner and Chief Director: Innovation and Business at Development of Innovus, had the following to say about the importance of the network, “ #InspiringFiftySA became a business network of strong and successful women who actively support and truly inspire each other. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of something so special!”
Ellen Fischat says they are grateful for the support #InspiringFiftySA continues to receive from the Dutch Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and the Consulate General in Cape Town and that their new leadership team recognizes the importance and impact of the network and the women.
Dutch Ambassador Han Peters said that “Inspiring the girls and women of tomorrow is exactly what these top 50 women do. We are glad to be able to celebrate this achievement with them in the 2019 #InspiringFiftySA Awards”.
There were 389 nominations were received and it was a tough task for the judges to select them. It’s been an honour and privilege to discover and learn about the amazing work these women do, mostly unnoticed and with persistence. They truly are the change agents our country needs and that she is humbled to serve these ladies and be a part of this amazing group of women.
Some of this year’s judges included Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF); Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Senior Lecturer, Information Systems from UWC, Professor Arnaud Malan, Department of Mechanical Engineering of UCT and Abongile Nzelezele, CapeTalk Presenter of The Early Breakfast Show.
We are honoured to congratulate and welcome the following women as this year’s #InspiringFiftySA 2019 winners:
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Aphiwe Hotele Ashleigh Killa Aviwe Funani Balindiwe Sishi Birgit Smythe Bonolo Sedupane Buhle Goslar Dorreen Mokoena Dr Cherise Dunn Dr Noluxolo Gcaza Dr Portia Manamela Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye Duduzile Mkhwanazi Ezlyn Olivia Barends Fadzayi Chiwandire Farhana Parker Jayshree Naidoo Keneilwe Hlahane Kutlwano Hutamo Leehandi de Witt Lerato Dontache Loretta Magagula Lucy Cunnama Lynette Hundermark Maria Joubert |
Mbali Makhathini Mmakgosi Mosupi Nisha Maharaj Nobukhosi Dlamini Noluvuyo Mpekelana Palesa Mahlatji Paula Barnard-Ashton Portia Maluleke Prof Debra Meyer Raesibe Sylvia Ledwaba Rene Parker Reshmi Muringathuparambil Safiyyah Iqbal Shamiso Kumbirai Shubna Harilal Sibongile Mongadi Tabassum Qadir Tebogo Makgatho Tebogo Mokwena Thembiso Magajana Vanessa Sealy-Fisher Yandisa Sokhanyile Yolandi Schoeman Yolandi Strauss Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva |