Huawei South Africa, working alongside the Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Employment and Labour (DoEL), and Small Business Development (DSBD), has concluded the fourth edition of its Women in Tech Digital Skills Training programme, equipping 40 women with hands-on digital expertise and leadership skills.
Held over three days in Johannesburg, the programme provided technical sessions on 5G, Cloud and Artificial Intelligence led by Huawei specialists, paired with a leadership development module delivered by Henley Business School Africa. The initiative aims to place women at the forefront of South Africa’s digital transformation.
Deputy CEO of Huawei South Africa, Charles Cheng, emphasised that the programme forms part of Huawei’s ICT Talent Ecosystem, which seeks to close the digital divide and accelerate inclusion. “Bridging the gap is at the heart of what we do. This programme strengthens digital inclusion by investing in women’s confidence and skills to lead in the economy of tomorrow,” he said.
Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General at the DCDT, reinforced the need for collaboration to unlock opportunities. “Access is not yet equal, but technology can be a powerful tool for change. By working with partners like Huawei, we can ensure more women are positioned to innovate and lead solutions that address our local challenges.”
The event also drew insights from Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, who highlighted the urgency of equipping women for the future of work. She noted that automation will displace millions of jobs globally by 2030, but new roles will emerge—roles that women must be prepared to claim. “Digital inclusion must go hand in hand with economic inclusion,” she said. “That is why partnerships with industry are critical to ensure no one is left behind.”
Huawei COO Christina Naidoo echoed this vision, stressing that progress is measured by inclusion. “We believe the true test of digital growth is whether women are fully involved. For us, closing the gender gap is about building resilience and ensuring inclusive growth.”
The programme is a joint effort that combines policy direction from government, technical training from Huawei, and leadership development from Henley Business School Africa. This cross-sector partnership demonstrates how collaboration can drive both empowerment and innovation.
Jacky Molisane, Acting Director-General of DoEL, summed it up: “When women are at the centre, productivity rises, enterprises grow, and communities thrive.”
Henley’s COO, Jacques le Roux, added that the partnership is not just about branding but about shared purpose: “We are committed to shaping leaders who will guide South Africa’s digital future with women at the forefront.”
