The number of women breaking into the tech industry is growing rapidly, supported by a range of events that empower and inspire. At the forefront of this movement, women shaping South Africa’s digital future are taking center stage at the Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) SMME Awards, celebrating their innovation, leadership, and impact.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) SMME Awards 2025 is set to take place this Thursday in Johannesburg. The Innovator Trust is proud to announce an expanded lineup of distinguished speakers and panelists who are redefining leadership, creativity and innovation across South Africa’s technology ecosystem.
The theme for this year is “Shaping her Growth. Code It. Shape It. Scale It.”, these newly confirmed voices bring depth, insight, and industry-shaping expertise to this year’s programme.
Joining the already heavyweight business lineup, these additional leaders represent a powerful cross-section of South Africa’s digital, creative, entrepreneurial and corporate environments:
Aphiwe Tafeni (Founder and CEO, Olem Business Boutique)
Chipo Mushwana (Executive of Emerging Innovation & Payments, Nedbank Group)
Dr Roze Phillips (African Futurist, Business Strategy Advisor & Founder, Abundance at Work)
Janine Wood (Founder and Managing Director, Ignite Media)
Lebo Lion (Marketing Strategist, Tech Entrepreneur, Lyon)
Linda Mabena-Olagunju (Founder and CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd, DLO)
Mpho Motsemme (Media Liaison, SARS)
Nicqui Galaktiou (Director, Nicqui Galaktiou Inc)
Sisanda Mbodlela (Managing Director, SM Solutions PE Trading)
Tsatsi Mthimunye (Managing Executive – Central Region, Vodacom)
Zumurrud Rinquest (Managing Director, Curious & Creative)
Baxbara Moagi – Our MC for the day ( Media Personality, Content Creator, and Brand Strategist)
These women expand an already formidable roster of thought leaders, strategists, founders and industry shapers featured across the day’s keynote addresses and panel discussions.
From the AI-driven future of digital creativity to the evolution of African tech leadership, the 2025 WIT Awards spotlight women who are coding, shaping and scaling South Africa’s digital economy. Their contributions reinforce the message at the heart of the WIT Awards: Africa’s digital future is female-built—defined by intellect, innovation, and inclusive leadership.
The awards will take place on Thursday, 20th November 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.Virtual registration is still open, so join thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry leaders for a full day of inspiration, strategy and transformative conversation.
To secure your seat register here.
