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ADVERTORIALTechno GirlEnsuring abright futurefor the girl child... breaking the cycle of poverty by exposing girl learners fromunderprivileged backgroundsto the world of science, technology,engineering and maths.By Musa Ndlangamandla36 I S S U E 1
ADVERTORIALHow do we, as a society,increase and enhance theparticipation of girls andyoung women in the fields of science,technology, engineering and maths?A daunting skills shortage in thesefields has emerged, and is worsenedby South Africa’s seeming failureto produce a sufficient number ofgraduates to fill this gap.Sadly, fewer than 30% of girlshave science, technology, engineeringand mathematics as subjects in theirhigh-school years. However, thisimbalance will soon be a thing of thepast with the advent of the TechnoGirl programme, an initiative aimedat giving girls an equal opportunity toexcel in these fields.This groundbreakingprogramme targets girl learnersfrom underprivileged schools formentorship in science, technology,engineering and mathematics. Thegirls are afforded the opportunity tospend time in various companies inorder to motivate and guide them inmaking career choices in these areas,which are in high demand in theSouth African economy.The initiative is implemented bythe Department of Basic Education,the Department of Women, Childrenand People with Disabilities, theUnited Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) and Uweso Consulting, andhas already achieved much in helpingyoung girls from disadvantagedbackgrounds to pursue careers thatwere up to now perceived as maledomains.Over 8 000 disadvantaged girlsfrom public schools have benefittedfrom the initiative as they wereplaced in a structured job-shadowingprogramme at various job shadowinghost organisations. For the initiativeto be effective and have a meaningfulimpact, it cannot be treated as a oneoffactivity, but has to be approachedon a long-term, structured andsystematic basis. To that end, the girlsare placed in a hosting organisationfor three consecutive holiday periods.This cycle repeats over a three-yearperiod. For example, a girl will enterthe programme while completingGrade 9, will continue in theprogramme in Grade 10 and 11, andwill exit the programme in Grade 12.“The Techno Girl programme dealswith two of South Africa’s key nationalpriorities, namely education and jobcreation. Education is a key driver ofeconomic growth and social changeacross the globe. In South Africa, oureconomy urgently needs young peoplein the fields of science, technology,engineering and mathematics,” saysMinister of Women, Children andPeople with Disabilities, Ms LuluXingwana.Minister of Basic EducationAngie Motshekga noted the broadbasedeffects of the initiative. “Whenthe learners are exposed to worksituations, they return to share theirexperiences and information withtheir friends at school. This is a highlymotivational factor and ensurespositive outcomes,” she said.UNICEF South Africa’s AidaGirma said the organisation wasconfident that, over the coming years,Techno Girl would reach even moregirls from all provinces.Transnet recently hosted 1 300girls in its freight rail and railengineering concerns. “The initial jobshadowing intake has proven thatthe experience is very motivational,especially to the girl children fromdisadvantaged backgrounds – tothink of taking up careers that arein demand by the economy andwhere women have always beenunderrepresented,” says Transnet’sExecutive Manager: Human Capital,Humaria Mooketsi-Choonara.Girls also collaborated with theAutomotive Industry DevelopmentCentre (AIDC). Executive LiasonOfficer Lianne Delport said: “TheAIDC is proud to be associated withthe Techno Girl programme in hostingthe girls, exposing them to the workingenvironment, thus allowing themto develop their career choices andadopting a ‘talent pipeline’ approach toensure further development.”Indeed, sustained exposure to theworkplace allows the girls to explorevarious career opportunities. “Whilestill at school, the girls need to beSelection criteria:To ensure that the right learnersare selected to participate in theprogramme, the following selectioncriteria apply:• All beneficiaries should be girlsfrom disadvantaged communities.Only girls in Grades 9, 10, 11 and12 are eligible for selection.• Applicants must attend a publicschool.• Applicants must obtain at least50% (level 4) in Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy.• Applicants must have a goodbehavioural and disciplinaryrecord.• Applicants must be dedicatedlearners with a keen interest inacademic performance.exposed to opportunities, inspired toachieve success, assisted with subjectchoices and guided regarding tertiaryeducation. Given the diversity oftheir business operations, both publicand private-sector organisations areideally positioned to accomplish this,”said Staff Sithole, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Uweso Consulting, one ofthe founding programme partners.A Grade 11 learner at CosmoCity Secondary School, TshegofatsoMokoena, said the programmehad boosted her self-esteem. “Thisprogramme made me realise howthe corporate world works, and nowI’m ready to face it,” she said. “Italso offers us career guidance andmotivational talks.”Nokubonga Mazibuko, whowent through the programme in2010, said: “I found the initiativeto be very helpful, and my timespent job shadowing at DunlopTyres was very rewarding. I learnta lot about my career choice, whichis environmental science. I amcurrently working towards a BSc inGeological Environmental Science atthe University of KwaZulu-Natal,”Mazibuko said. ✥For more information, pleasecontact Mr Chris Maduna on:Tel: +27 11 781 9950E-mail: chris@uwesco.co.zawww.uwesco.co.zaProgressive women in business37
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