Latest news with #MandisaNtloko-Petersen
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Closing the gender gap in the ICT industry through mentorship
Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen Image: Supplied Over the past decade, transformative technological advancements, such as smartphones, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and 5G, have revolutionised our daily lives. These innovations have opened up a world of possibilities beyond what we could have imagined a mere ten years ago. However, this technological progress has also highlighted a significant gender gap. Women remain vastly underrepresented in the ICT sector, particularly in technical roles. The root causes of this disparity are multifaceted. A survey conducted by in the United States found that women often leave the tech industry due to discomfort in environments that feel explicitly or implicitly discriminatory. Many women report facing discrimination based on age, race, sexuality, gender, and motherhood. Although the U.S. is geographically distant from South Africa, women's challenges in the ICT sector are strikingly similar. According to the 2024 ICT Skills Survey by the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA), women make up only 13% of STEM graduates in South Africa, significantly lower than the global average of 35%. The survey identifies numerous challenges contributing to this gender gap, including misconceptions about women's technical abilities, discrimination, and harassment. These issues perpetuate negative stereotypes, create hostile work environments, and foster unconscious bias against women. Notably, the survey highlights the absence of strong role models and mentors who understand women's unique experiences in ICT. Having been on both sides of the mentoring process during my over 25 years in the ICT industry, I can attest to the profound impact of mentorship. As a mentor, I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience while learning from others. As a mentee, I have gained invaluable insights that have shaped my career and personal life. I clearly remember my first experience with mentorship. After I started working in the ICT industry as a marketing and communications specialist, I was filled with noble career aspirations and a desire to excel in my field. However, I lacked a clear plan to achieve these ambitions. Fortunately, a colleague agreed to mentor me during my second work week. With her extensive knowledge of ICT and years of experience, she became an invaluable guide. The first thing my mentor did was instil self-belief in me. Newly minted into the ICT sector and lacking industry knowledge and work experience in this field, I initially struggled with self-confidence, especially when working alongside seasoned professionals. Over time, she taught me the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, and networking. Her insights challenged my perspectives and motivated me to strive for excellence consistently. These skills have proven invaluable throughout my career. Conversely, I have also had the privilege of mentoring others. One of my most rewarding experiences involved guiding junior colleagues struggling with confidence and gaining their footing in the workplace. I helped them recognise their potential and develop a growth mindset by offering encouragement, personalised advice, and sharing my journey. Witnessing their transformation into a confident and motivated professionals reaffirmed the significant impact of mentorship on personal growth and resilience. The power of mentorship in career development cannot be overstated. It provides essential guidance, support, and insights that help individuals navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and accelerate personal and professional growth. Mentoring can occur in various settings, from workplaces to educational institutions, and can be a crucial tool for fostering a learning culture, promoting diversity and inclusion, and driving innovation within the ICT industry. To effectively address the gender imbalance in ICT, engaging mentors at every level is vital. Experienced professionals can guide and support newer employees, while schools and colleges can inspire young females to pursue careers in ICT. Importantly, mentorship should begin early in a girl's life, long before she reaches the age where societal pressures might lead her to believe that technology isn't for women. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Seacom appoints two senior executives
Seacom, a leading provider of digital infrastructure and digital services across Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of two senior executives to bolster its leadership team. Effective 1 April 2025, Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen joined as the new Group chief marketing officer (CMO), while Charl Slabbert assumes the Group chief financial officer (CFO) role. Alpheus Mangale, the Group chief executive, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing these accomplished leaders into the Group executive committee. "Both Mandisa and Charl bring considerable astuteness and insight to their fields. Their previous international experience in c-suite roles will greatly benefit Seacom. They are well-acquainted with the industry, having worked with other leading brands in South Africa and beyond. We anticipate the value they will bring to their roles and the strengthening of our top-tier leadership at Seacom," he stated. Charl Slabbert is a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of experience in various executive roles. His expertise is not limited to finance, but also encompasses corporate strategy, operations management, business integration and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and stakeholder management. Slabbert's career experience extends to South Africa, several African countries, and the United Kingdom. In addition to his academic qualifications in accounting, he is affiliated with Saica as a chartered accountant and the IOD as a chartered director. "I am excited to join Seacom as the Group CFO. My strategic, private equity and financial expertise will allow me to contribute positively to Seacom," said Slabbert. "With my prior experiences as Group CFO and Strategy executive in Vodacom, Cell C and various enterprise service providers, I am well prepared to engage with Seacom's diverse shareholder environments. I thrive on the strategic thinking required in a Group CFO role and look forward to being a key player in the company's corporate leadership." Mangale added: "Charl brings extensive experience in strategic, commercial, and operational finance, with a proven track record in Africa. His expertise in managing mergers, acquisitions, and stakeholder relationships in listed and private equity settings is valuable to Seacom." Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen is an accomplished marketer, with a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the ICT sector, boasting 30 years of expertise in marketing, communications, and brand positioning. Her extensive background includes leadership roles at BCX, Dimension Data, MTN, and Accenture, where she has driven significant brand growth and innovation. Ntloko-Petersen is known for her innovative approach to leveraging brand positioning and digital tools. She is deeply committed to youth and women development and creating a significant impact beyond the corporate sphere. "In her new role, Mandisa will lead our brand and marketing efforts, focusing on enhancing Seacom's brand presence, driving client engagement, and supporting our growth objectives. Specifically, she will oversee the brand positioning for both our Digital Services and Digital Infrastructure businesses. Her leadership will be instrumental in defining and executing strategies differentiating our offerings in these key areas, ensuring that Seacom remains at the forefront of innovation and customer satisfaction," says Mangale. Ntloko-Petersen holds a degree in International Relations and Industrial Sociology from Wits University. She was awarded the Nelson Mandela Scholarship for her MBA degree, which she completed at the University of Warwick in the UK. She also completed an MBA exchange programme at Esade Business School in Spain. Mangale concluded: "I am eager to collaborate with these two senior leaders as they join Seacom's senior Group leadership team. They bring the right credentials and approach to excel in our team environment and unlock significant value from their teams."
