Women in Tech

Can you tell us about yourself?

My full name is Senzekile Nojaholo, born and bred in Cape Town South Africa. My hobbies include crafting and meditation.

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

As a scrum master and project manager, my life involves the facilitation of agile ceremonies and project meetings, with key stakeholders. Each day starts with a daily stand-up to check in with teams on their progress and plans for the day. Ensuring those plans materialize, assisting the team to resolve any issues, and keeping them focused, whilst initiating, planning, and executing projects. The management of project resources, risks, and a bit of negotiation and protecting of my teams too. I have to make sure that the business is supported from both a BAU and project perspective. I need to assist the business to understand the benefits they would like to achieve from their products and assist in making sure that they actualize. It involves thinking about and researching ways that can help us and the business to improve our processes, relationship, and ultimately the customer/user experience.

What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the tech industry?

The free coffees and lunch from male colleagues? On a serious note, although the tech industry is in the top 10 of industries with lower women representation, especially women in leadership(24%), I feel that the women who are in IT are paving the way for more women. We are gradually changing the status quo. I believe that women are very innovative and efficient, we are always looking for better and improved ways of doing things and that's the contribution we bring and innovation and efficiency are the bedrock for technology.

Do you notice a lack of women in technology? If so, why do you think that’s the case?

Definitely! Although it is changing in Pepkor IT and maybe the bigger Pepkor group and that's actually one of the things I find attractive about Pepkor IT(the fact that you have quite a number of women in leadership) there is still a lack in the industry. I think the misconception that it is a "male field" has laid the foundation for fear in many women. The fact that it is technical and anything technical is associated with men. Those stereotypes have served as a deterrent, I believe, for many women.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?

As simple as it sounds, the best advice I've received is; "Just do your work, let it speak for you, and let your work be your reputation". I think there is nothing more important in the workplace than having a strong work ethic and showing your competency and this advice speaks to that and should not be underestimated.

What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

Mediocrity was and is never an option for me and being raised by a mother who came from nothing and was able to achieve many firsts in our family and be able to create a good quality of life, meant that I could not drop the standard and I have to do even better for my children.

Did you always know that working in technology was what you wanted to do? How did you decide to go into the tech industry?

Honestly, no! My father was a huge advocate for social justice and equality and growing up, we spent most of our days conversing and discussing politics and sports so my 1st option was political science, 2nd option law and I think IT was my 3rd option. I, of course, gained exposure to different things as I grew up and I was only 17 when he passed on so I think that's when that passion died too, sadly. So political science was out. I think where the law is concerned, as an outsider looking in, my moral compass and conscience would not allow me. IT made more sense strategically. "Where would it be most possible to find employment in South Africa and earn good money too"? So a good salary and career advancement was the primary reason for choosing IT but secondary to that it was always fascinating how the world was changing and advancing through the aid of technology, how technology was able to make many things that would otherwise seem impossible, possible and I wanted to understand how that worked.

What about motherhood and tech?

Being a mother in tech challenges the status quo around gender gaps in tech. It challenges the narrative around gender roles in general. As a mother, it is important that my children understand that "there are no limits to what you can do but those that you create for yourself" and your gender should not be one of them. From a tech perspective, it is amazing the possibilities that technology has been able to create for us and for our relationships with our children as parents in general. Looking back on the last 2 or 3 years, we have been fortunate and able to spend more time with our children, to be more present as a result of WFH. This was made possible through technology. The possibilities are endless with technology and that is the message I pass on to my children.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

I would tell them to go ahead and pursue a career in tech. I would give them the same advice that was given to me. OWN your work! No one will pick on you because of your gender, It is not a constant battle of the sexes, otherwise if it is just prove them wrong until you don't have to anymore. I'm grateful for the women that fight my fights and the women that have and are paving the way for us in tech. Lastly, it is your responsibility too to change the status quo and close the gender gaps. Pave the way for future women and leaders.