MORE WOMEN NEEDED IN STEM
The Minister of Information Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya has urged more women to join the women in STEM.
Maziya said tackling some of the greatest challenges of the Agenda for Sustainable Development from improving health to combating climate change rely on harnessing all talent.
“That means getting more women working in these fields. Diversity in research expands the pool of talented researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, talent, and creativity. This day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened,” she said.
Maziya then told a story of how she started her engineering career. She shared how when she started there were a lot of women in the field but throughout the years she lost track of them.
“Although Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are widely regarded as critical to national economies, so far most countries, no matter their level of development, have not achieved gender equality in STEM,” said the Minister. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (PS) to the Ministry of ICT Phesheya Dube congratulated Minister Savannah on her recent award.
Dube said as a Ministry they were happy and proud of Maziya for this achievement.
Maziya was honoured with the prestigious South African Leadership Award, a global recognition bestowed upon leaders celebrated for their exemplary leadership, commitment to sustainability, and stewardship of renowned brands.
The award was presented in Sandton, South Africa, alongside distinguished leaders from various sectors, including engineering, hospitality, healthcare, and finance.
Minister Maziya stood out among esteemed recipients, showcasing her remarkable leadership in the ICT realm.
impact
Minister Maziya’s impact resonates not only within South Africa but also on a global scale. Her leadership style, characterized by a blend of asIute business acumen, empathetic guidance, and strategic vision, has garnered admiration and respect both locally and internationally.
In a gracious acceptance speech, Minister Maziya expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of using one’s influence and abilities to uplift others.
She highlighted the significance of leading with purpose, empathy, and a commitment to making a positive difference in society.
Prominent
The event, attended by prominent leaders including CEOs, CFOs, and business owners, served as a testament to Minister Maziya’s inspirational leadership and her enduring dedication to fostering inclusive and impactful change.
She is the Executive Chairperson of Bunengi, a company based in South Africa that operates and invests in resources (mining, gas, water, and fuel), transport (passenger buses, rail, and related products such as wheels), infrastructure (general build and civils), as well as ICT/ gaming (procurement, project management, gaming, and general solutions software).
It is without a doubt that the award should inspire increased recognition of women in leadership and the minister was asked how best she thought this could be achieved, especially in Eswatini.
The minister said it was so important to look at leadership as a human skill. “We all should look at ourselves as leaders no matter the gender. Women should not look to others to be recognized as leaders - instead, they should look to improve their skills and ensure they focus on developing leadership within themselves. Sometimes we think being in various senior positions makes us good leaders but we have to work at it,” she said.