Johannesburg - Telecommunications giant
color:#333333;background:white"> MTN on Wednesday officially launched the second
edition of the Women in the information and communication technologies (ICT) Partnership
for Change Awards.
MTN in partnership with
Kagiso Media and ITWeb’s Brainstorm, have invited nominations from and for
eligible female professionals working in the information and communication
technologies (ICT) sector for consideration in various categories.
Executive for the Consumer
Business Unit at MTN SA, Mapula Bodibe, said “We are here today to launch
the second edition of Women in ICT – Partnership for Change Awards. We dedicate
this initiative to the millions of women out there who have, over the years
been the symbols of resilience, fortitude, hope and sustenance”.
Bodibe said that despite the
strides being made by women professionals in ICT, a lot still needs to be done
to increase the levels of women participation in the sector.
“This initiative seeks to
accelerate women’s participation in the ICT sector by celebrating and rewarding
women professionals who have made a significant contribution to the growth and
development of the ICT sector.”
“In doing so, this
initiative hopes to attract girl children and young aspirant female
professionals to consider a profession in the industry and enhance the industry’s
employer value proposition,” said Bodibe.
She said that those women
represent mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues. It is these women that
demonstrated an inner strength that is remarkable in the face of various types
of adversity. Like a phoenix, they have, during times of great difficulty,
managed to rise from the ashes and served as a source of inspiration to those
around them.
The representation of and by
women in the ICT was still negligible. Regardless of how bleak the statistics
were, there were still pockets of remarkable women leaders in the ICT sector.
She wished to appeal to those professionals to use their influence and
positions to pave the way for other female professionals to thrive and prosper.
“We need to dispose of the exclusivist,
I am the first woman to...” mindset. We have to re-awaken the nurturing spirit
that women are renowned for - to mentor and coach female professionals who are
still rising up the ranks,” said Bodibe.
Read also: 'Tech disruptors' recognised at MTN Awards
Bodibe said that women have
the power, and an instrumental role to play, in changing the gender demographics
of the ICT sector. They need to create conditions where women grow to become a
critical mass that will drive the agenda of an ICT sector with a heart.
Mark Harris, Group CEO of
Kagiso Media said “As Kagiso Media, we are honoured to be associated with an
initiative that is championing the noble cause of recognising and awarding
excellence and driving transformation.
“We believe that the second
edition of the Women in ICT – Partnership for Change Awards will be a catalyst
that puts the ICT sector on the map, remind female professionals of the
significant contributions they have made, and continue to make relevant changes
in our country through telecommunications and technology.”