Business Report

Innovator Trust to celebrate women in tech at the 2025 Women in Tech Awards

Staff Reporter|Published

The Innovator Trust is set to shine a light on the powerful contributions of women in the technology sector with the return of its highly anticipated Women in Tech Awards on November 20, 2025.

This premier event aims to celebrate the remarkable women shaping the future of South Africa's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape and acknowledges their significant impact on the local economy.

Themed “Shaping Her Growth: Code it. Shape it. Scale it,” this year's Awards highlight the inspiring journeys of women entrepreneurs, showcasing their resilient spirit in building strong business foundations, developing leadership skills, and expanding their enterprises into influential ventures.

In a world increasingly defined by digital transformation, the forum will serve as a rallying call for women from diverse backgrounds to harness technology for addressing Africa's pressing socio-economic challenges.

Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust, articulated the importance of women-led innovation: “Women-led innovation is essential for long-term social and economic progress.”

“Research conducted by McKinsey & Co Report 2020 highlights that companies with gender-diverse leadership teams are more likely to be profitable and create greater value, showing that inclusion boosts business performance. Boston Consulting Group shows that startups founded or co-founded by women deliver significantly higher returns, more than twice as much revenue per dollar invested, when compared to those founded by men. The evidence is clear: investing in women delivers measurable results,” said Jooste.

This year's event promises a line-up of engaging discussions featuring prominent thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives. The esteemed Nozipho Tshabalala, a noted broadcast journalist and global conversation strategist, will moderate the proceedings.

Additionally, Martha Lamola, Vodacom's Business Operations Director for Vodacom Ventures and Business Partners, will deliver the keynote address, offering insights into leadership, innovation, and the progressive role of women in ICT.

Guests can look forward to dynamic panel discussions that will explore pertinent themes, such as:

  • Creative Corner: Reflections on Digital Creative Agencies and the Impact of AI, featuring:
    • Janine Wood, Founder & Marketing Manager, Ignite Media
    • Aphiwe Tafeni, Founder & CEO, Olem Business Boutique
    • Zumurrud Rinquest, Managing Director, Curious & Creative
  • Panel Two: SMME Leadership in the Age of AI – How You Can Lead Beyond Your Limits, featuring:
    • Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO, Association of Comms and Technology
    • Zukiswa Phillips, Managing Executive: Financial Planning & Analysis, Vodacom South Africa
    • Charmaine Houvet, Senior Director Africa, CISCO
    • Siphokazi Simandla, Managing Director, Bolunga Systems
  • Panel Three: One Africa, One Market – African Women SMMEs Trading Without Limits, featuring:
    • Smangele Nkosi, General Manager South Africa, CISCO
    • Kanini Mutooni, Regional Managing Director, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
  • Panel Four: Africa’s Youth – How Are They Coding, Shaping and Scaling?, featuring:
    • Serisha Barrat, CEO & Co-Founder, Lawyered Up
    • Thabile Makhoba, Director, Makhoba Professional Services

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