Ms. Hlongwane, 30, is founder of Pink Codrs Africa that supports over 500 women in the tech space across South Africa and beyond. She spoke to Nathan Hastings-Spaine for Africa Renewal about her journey:
Can you tell us about yourself - your background, experiences, and interests?
My name is Mbali Hlongwane. I am the founder of Pink Codrs Africa, an organisation that supports over 500 women in the tech space across South Africa. I was born and raised in the Umlazi township of Durban where computers were a luxury for many, including my family.
However, my innate curiosity about technology and gadgets drove me to constantly question and explore. I was that child who would watch TV and wonder about the magic happening behind the screen. This intrigue led me to study IT in high school and to later pursue a degree in systems engineering.
Recognizing the ever-changing tech landscape, I also continuously upskill myself with certifications from tech companies like Microsoft.
How has your journey in tech been so far?
My passion for technology was celebrated in 2017 when I was honoured with a Woman in Tech Award. However, when I scanned the crowd at the ceremony and realized I was the sole female awardee, I felt obliged to address the gender disparity in the tech industry.
Instead of settling in my hometown, Durban, I relocated to Johannesburg without family or friends, just a vision: to bridge the gender gap in the tech space.
Beginning with meetups at JoziHub — a thriving hub in Johannesburg—it became evident that many women aspired for tech roles but lacked the necessary skills. That is how Pink Codrs Africa was born and the vision to develop the largest community of women in tech across Africa by equipping, exposing, and preparing women for industry opportunities.
We have four focus areas:
- software development
- data science
- machine learning, and
- cloud computing
For me, software development is the foundational skill that acts as gateway to other tech domains. We began focusing solely on software development but, acknowledging the ever-evolving tech landscape, expanded data science, machine learning, and cloud computing to ensure women are well-equipped with the most in-demand skills.
While skill development is critical, it is not sufficient. Recognizing this, we rolled out our Africa mentorship program, a six-month endeavor where seasoned professionals from tech giants like Uber and Twitter mentor our girls and women, prepping them not just to join but to thrive in the tech sector.
What would you say are some of your career highlights?
Since Pink Codrs Africa's inception in 2017, we have trained over 500 girls and women.
Some of our proudest moments include:-
- Kaizer Chiefs: We partnered with Kaizer Chiefs, a top South African football club, to offer 20 women from diverse educationally and professional backgrounds an opportunity to participate in their Microsoft Professional Data Science program.
- Georgia Tech Initiative: Our work with the Chiefs caught the eye of global media, leading to a feature in Forbes and an invitation to Georgia Tech University's inaugural Soccer Con conference, which examines a wide range of innovations in soccer.
- Expansion to Kenya & Morocco: We have trained more than 500 women and girls in South Africa, and our next step is expanding to Kenya, where we launched on 26 October 2023 with multiple initiatives.
What have been some of the challenges faced so far?
What really weighs on me is the feeling of not moving fast enough. There are just so many amazing women out there I believe we can make a difference for.
In my mind, I have this grand vision, and sometimes it feels like it might take decades to fully realize. I am on the lookout for that game-changing partnership. Something that can amplify our impact and really take the work we are doing to the next level.
How do you unwind after a long day at work?
I am all about getting a good night's sleep to recharge for the next day. But before I drift off, there is nothing better than unwinding with a movie or listening to one of my favourite podcasts. That is my kind of evening.
What is your message to young women and girls in Africa aspiring to pursue a career in the tech industry?
Believe me, you can be a fantastic engineer by age 15 and craft solutions that blow minds.
It doesn’t matter where you are from – your greatness is not defined by your birthplace.
If you are seven years old and dream of becoming an engineer, why wait? Dive in!
Getting young girls excited about tech as early as possible is the only way we will bridge the gender gap in tech.
So do not put limits on yourself because the world won't truly see your boundless potential until you unleash it.
