TECHNOLOGY

On August 25 and 26 2021 AB4IR hosted the Worldwide Women in Innovation, Incubation and Technology Summit (W-WIITS). The intention of this summit is to rewrite the narrative on inclusivity of women in the ICT sector. The platform challenges the digital gender stereotypes and advocates for more women entrepreneurs in the digital space. At this event we had Ms Siphokazi Simandla; Managing Director: Bolunga Systems & e-Waste Social Enterprise as the keynote speaker. Ms Simandla is a well-rounded woman who has earned her accolades. During her address, she challenged the audience around the world to be their “sister’s keeper”. This is a concept so common and yet so vague in the life we live. Concepts such as women in gaming, technology, drones, animation and so on, were created to consciously make room for women in spaces that were predominately male oriented, and women were considered inferior. Throughout history there has been specific moulds for men and women. Technology like many other fields were moulded for men. Over the years the notion was challenged. Having walked the streets and platforms of women in this that and the other, I could not help but taste the loneliness and hardship that comes with it. One walks into a boardroom and is the only woman there. You state your point only to have it rejected then rephrased and celebrated as remarkable because it fell out of the lips of a man. Right there you want to say; “that is exactly what

I just said.” At that moment, you wish you could make a face or gesture or anything at someone that sees things same way you do, another woman. Just this act can affect your mental wellbeing and affect your self-esteem

and confidence bringing you to question if you even belong in that room as the only woman. Therefore, it becomes important to make room when you get there. There are very few women in the technology space that are successful yet there are even

fewer women that are successful and being their “sister’s keeper”. As we rise, may we not forget to lift others up that need our help as much as we needed it when we were on the outside. This is what Ms Simandla was talking about. Covid-19 has challenged everything about everything we thought we knew and while the IT sector boomed due to the forced lockdowns and other factors, mental wellbeing was compromised. During this pandemic mental wellbeing showed up as an opposing force as people forgot to take time out in the quest of making more money. Technology took over and sanity was compromised. There were no breaks, no boundaries and the mind suffered. A new era emerged where attending a minimum of 6 meetings a day was a new normal. Mental wellbeing was neglected as we kept taking more and more trying to prove that we can have it all while avoiding being left behind.

We gave into the pressure to deliver and be perfect while keeping up the façade of getting it together, maintaining the balance. Then we soon heard of depression and the amounts of suicide that resulted due to the neglect of self. So going back to the challenge posed by Ms Simandla, “being your sister’s keeper” means making room for your sister when you have arrived, checking up on your sister when they seem off balance and lending a helping hand to your sister when you recognise the need because as women we have been blessed with intuition. The only way we are going to win the quest of gender inclusivity is if we embrace who we are as women, use our attributes as strength, show up as ourselves and stand up for other women. We need to also remember to put the mask on ourselves first before we rescue other people.

So, as we take up space, take advantage of the opportunities brought to us as women in technology, may we remember the importance of mental wellbeing. Remembering that it all starts with the self and if the mind is not well, there is little else that can be done. Sometimes the greatest strength lies in acknowledging that you are feeling weak and need help. When you find yourself in that space, there is no shame in getting the help you need be it support from family and friends, therapy, coaching, mentorship, or just plain old time out. Even cars must be serviced every 15 000 km. Be kind to yourself and keep shinning.

Ms K O Molopyane: CEO: AB4IR & Founding Director: Drone Council SA Instagram handle: Kelebogile Olivia Molopyane LinkedIn: Kelebogile Olivia Molopyane Twitter: @Kelemolop

Iremember wearing my

Reflecting back now, I think it’s fascinating that I don’t remember much about what the outfit actually looked like. What I do remember, vividly, is how it made me feel. That just goes to prove the point I’m trying to make today: the way we express ourselves through dress has a direct effect on our mood, and therefore, our mental health. The conversation around mental health has become a hot topic over the last decade, more so in recent years. Mental health issues need to be normalised and brought out into the light, however I don’t think we need to succumb to its hold on our lives. Our experiences with mental health issues, such as anxiety (in all its forms) is real and sometimes, often more real than what physically surrounds us. I have experienced its vicious grip on my mind and heart many times. But believing that we have to live in a place of darkness for the rest of our lives and just do our best to survive is a lie, my friends. Regardless of what you’ve been through in your life - what you’ve seen, heard or experienced - I believe that you too can thrive! My first question, and one that needs answering

in order for us to move forward, is: what does it mean to thrive as a woman? I suppose it means different things to different women. Allow me to share my thoughts on the topic and how my intentions to thrive have shaped my life. My ability to thrive is not determined by anyone else but me. In my personal experience, thriving has not come from being treated as an “equal”. It has not come from calling people out or ‘exposing’ their motives and wrong doings. It has always come from a deep knowing of who I am and Who I was created by. Thriving is finding your lane and running your race, in the blueprint of your design as a woman, a friend, a mother, a partner and a mentor. Who do you want to be? What do you want people to remember you for? And will the things you are prioritising in your day-to-day get you to that place? Some serious thoughts for a styling column right?! (Insert little smirk). I write about these things because I have realised that everything is connected. When I sit down with a client more often than not they are struggling in certain areas of their personal life, which reflects on their fashion choices. It’s only once we get down to the nitty-gritties of self-acceptance, body confidence and identity that we’re able to change their wardrobe in a sustainable way. I’ll give you an example. Learning to love their bodies in the state that it is (whilst still making room for healthy improvement) allows my clients to enjoy choosing outfits and expressing their individuality through clothing. When they are unable to do this they tend to hide themselves in anything oversized and anything black. Personally I love oversized and black, but I use it to enhance who I am, not conceal it. I’d like to get back to that feeling I spoke of at the beginning of this article. That feeling that wraps itself around you when you are dressed in a way that’s true to you and your personal style. I’m talking about that one dress that hugs all the right places. Those jeans that remind you, you have a great a...personality. It can only benefit our mental health when we can stay in that place of feeling content with the way we present ourselves and enjoy the process.

1Add colour. You know that colour you were told to never wear by some ‘specialist’. Don’t even get me started on colour analysis. Go out and buy something in that colour if it brings you joy! My goto pops of colour for this season are lime greens, bright pastels and oranges. 2 Wear jewellery that makes you feel fun, vibrant and playful. I don’t support fast fashion without restraint, but I do find value in the way costume jewellery makes me feel - and it helps with the budget!

3Make alterations to something you’ve kept in your wardrobe for sentimental reasons and turn it into something you can use in your existing wardrobe. It might be your granny’s dress that you turn into a skirt or an old blouse you wore in high school that you cut into a scarf. The sky’s the limit! Just make sure it’s something you can get a lot of use and joy out of. 4 Colour-code your wardrobe. I know this one