Vodacom’s #CodeLikeAGirl (CLAG) initiative is breaking barriers in technology and transforming lives by equipping young women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy. Since its inception, the programme has trained over 10 000 girls in coding and digital literacy across all nine provinces, making it one of the country’s most impactful STEM empowerment platforms.
Targeting girls aged 14 to 18 from under-resourced communities, #CodeLikeAGirl offers intensive bootcamps in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and GitHub, while also building essential life skills and mentorship opportunities with women working in technology.
The results speak for themselves. Many participants who once saw coding as intimidating now leave with renewed confidence and a clear vision for careers in STEM. Alumni like Shreya Rupan, now a data analyst at Vodacom, credit the programme with changing their life trajectory — from discovering a passion for coding to securing bursaries and completing university degrees.
By transforming the initiative into an accredited qualification, Vodacom has created a formal pathway to employment, ensuring that graduates are not only inspired but also equipped for long-term careers. This strengthens South Africa’s pipeline of female talent in a sector where women remain underrepresented — holding just 22% of STEM jobs globally, according to UNESCO.
For Vodacom, this is about shifting the gender balance in tech and driving meaningful inclusion. “#CodeLikeAGirl is not just about coding,” says Njabulo Mashigo, Vodacom HR Director. “It’s about breaking stereotypes, empowering young women, and proving that their ideas can shape a more inclusive, innovative future.”
By bridging the gap between opportunity and potential, #CodeLikeAGirl is not only changing individual lives — it is helping rewrite South Africa’s digital story.
