In a compelling initiative spearheaded by Huawei South Africa in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, forty inspiring women—spanning entrepreneurs and senior government leaders—have just graduated from the fourth edition of the Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme. This transformative journey has equipped them with technological acumen and leadership confidence to thrive amid a swiftly digitising economy, according to Africa.com.
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Huawei SA & Henley Business School Africa: A Growing Incubator for Tech-Curious Women
First introduced in 2021, the Women in Tech programme quickly evolved into a dynamic incubator for women keen on mastering digital tools. Over 300 women have benefited from this initiative, which fuses hands-on exposure to leading-edge technologies with personal leadership development.
The 2025 cohort featured a vibrant mix of women: entrepreneurs setting out on digital journeys, along with senior managers from government bodies like the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Small Business Development, and the Department of Digital Technologies.
Cultivating Leadership and Self-Mastery Through Huawei SA & Henley Business School Africa
The programme reached its climax at Henley Business School’s Johannesburg campus. Here, Executive Coach Christine Williams led an enlightening masterclass covering personal mastery, work–life integration, and the neuroscience of leadership. The session encouraged participants to pause, reflect, and rediscover how they can lead themselves and others in a fast-paced world.
Williams offered powerful counsel: staying curious is key. She shared, “Being continuously curious about what we are consciously creating as the best version of ourselves allows us to positively contribute to the systems we are part of…”
One participant, Tshegofatso Maubane of STEM Technologies, described the impact: “The Henley day gave me tools I can apply immediately. We learned how to manage ourselves under pressure…” She praised the programme’s reassurance that learning has no age limit.
Turning Narrative Into Action
On the final day, Thulisile Manzini, Director-General of the Department of Small Business Development, delivered an inspiring keynote titled “Backing Women in Business: Creating the Right Conditions for Growth.” Drawing from her own journey—from petrol attendant to national leader—she urged participants not to let circumstances define their destiny.
Manzini emphasised that empowering women is not just an ethical stance—it’s an economic imperative. “Women make up more than half of our population. To exclude them is to exclude more than half of our nation’s potential for innovation, productivity, and growth.”
She also acknowledged persistent barriers—like limited access to finance and technology, and the double burden of unpaid care work—but celebrated how programmes like Women in Tech are actively dismantling them. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to such partnerships, with Huawei and Henley, to cultivate spaces where women innovators can flourish.
End-to-End Readiness: From Tech Tools to Network Growth
The initiative began with immersive tech demonstrations at Huawei’s Innovation Centre. Participants explored applications of 5G (for faster data transfer, field safety, real-time services), cloud solutions for digitising procurement and managing budgets, as well as Huawei’s eKit to enable secure Wi-Fi and device management for small and hybrid teams.
One entrepreneur, Nyeleti Shikwambane of Setsibi IT Support Services, remarked that the lessons connected directly to her business challenges. “I’m leaving with a clear view that there are still big gaps women need to close in tech… my main takeaway is that we are capable…”
The tech deep-dive was further enriched by insights from entrepreneur Heidi Patmore and technology commentator Toby Shapshak, who shared real-world lessons and reflections on the evolving landscape of technology.
Graduation, Certification and the Road Ahead
The programme wrapped up with a heartfelt certification ceremony at Henley. Participants celebrated milestones, exchanged ideas, and celebrated newly forged connections. Jacques le Roux, Chief Operating Officer at Henley Business School, spoke of the bridge the programme forms between innovation and leadership: “When women understand themselves as leaders, they are better equipped to lead others, especially in sectors being reshaped by digital technologies.”
Conclusion: Inclusion as the Core of Digital Growth
The Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme is more than a training initiative—it’s a statement. It declares that digital transformation must be inclusive and women must be at its heart. Combining technical skills with leadership development, this initiative is shaping a future where women not only take part in the digital economy—they lead it.
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