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Call for inspiring women in tech

Masibulele Lunika
By Masibulele Lunika
Johannesburg, 13 Apr 2017
The Netherlands Consul General in Cape Town, Bonnie Horbach.
The Netherlands Consul General in Cape Town, Bonnie Horbach.

Inspiring Fifty, a pan-European programme that recognises 50 of the most inspirational women in the technology and innovations sector, has partnered with the Netherlands government to come to SA. It is currently seeking nominations of candidates who are either founders of a company or hold C-level positions in a technology companies, or are influencers, academics or politicians in the technology or innovation space.

Nominations were officially opened yesterday for local inspirational women. The collaboration is part of a Dutch campaign in South Africa called #cocreateSA. This initiative is believed to be the first of its kind outside Europe. It is openly inviting nominations for inspiring South African women working in different spheres of the technology and innovation sector.

The Dutch based non-profit organisation showcases female role models who inspire in the technology industry. South Africa is joining the list of four other regions covered in this initiative; including the Netherlands, France, Europe and the Nordics.

The programme honours 50 of the found most inspiring women in tech every year, with the aim of providing a platform that brings more visibility to the achievements of women in these sectors. According to the Netherlands Consul General in Cape Town, Bonnie Horbach, the African tech ecosystem is growing exponentially.

"This is re-shaping the South African economy as technology and innovation is leapfrogging beyond established technology, ideas, and infrastructure. The instrumental role played by women in this sector should be made more visible on a local and global level," she says.

Inspiring Fifty co-initiators Janneke Niessen and Joelle Frijters say this is an initiative that will boost economic growth, diversity, innovation and entrepreneurship. "We look forward to collaborating, to co-create and shape ideas to bring about positive and lasting change to the sector across the globe."

The nine-member Inspiring Fifty South Africa jury panel consists of women in technology that all hold executive positions.

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