South Africa continues to foster exceptional women in STEM who are making significant contributions across various fields
Here are five innovators to watch in 2024 and 2025:
1. Adriana Marais: A theoretical physicist and technologist, Dr. Marais is the founder of Proudly Human, an organisation focusing on building infrastructure and teams in extreme environments in preparation for life on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Her Off-World Project aims to demonstrate human resilience and sustainability in harsh conditions. en.wikipedia.org
2. Zandile Mkhwanazi: As the founder and CEO of GirlCode, Mkhwanazi empowers young girls and women through technology education. Under her leadership, GirlCode has impacted over 60,000 individuals, fostering a larger presence of women in tech. dsti.gov.za
3. Mmaki Jantjies: A computer science professor and Telkom executive, Jantjies was recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the world’s most promising global leaders under 40. She founded Peo Ya Phetogo, an organisation promoting STEM education among young South Africans. dsti.gov.za
4. Katlego Malatji: As the founder of ProjectOne Engineering, Malatji focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and industrial engineering to enhance manufacturing processes. Her work aims to position South Africa at the forefront of the Fifth Industrial Revolution. dsti.gov.za
5. Sarah Collins: In 2008, Collins developed the Wonderbag, a non-electric heat-retention cooker designed to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. This innovation has garnered international acclaim, including recognition from Time magazine as one of the world’s 50 most genius companies. dsti.gov.za These women exemplify the dynamic contributions of South African innovators in STEM, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
