Mentorship, empowerment, and meaningful inclusion defined the 2026 Wired4Women Awards, where 1st for Women Insurance reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women in ICT by sponsoring the Mentor of the Year Award. The event brought together industry leaders and changemakers to celebrate those shaping South Africa’s digital future, while highlighting the urgent need to move beyond resilience toward real, sustained success for women in tech.
Held in conjunction with International Girls in ICT Day 2026 and aligned with the theme “AI for Development: Girls shaping the digital future,” the awards underscored the importance of equipping young women with the skills, confidence, and mentorship needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Seugnette van Wyngaard, Head of 1st for Women Insurance, described the organisation’s “Putting Her First” philosophy as a necessary shift in how the sector supports women. Drawing from insights in the company’s Her and Now report, she pointed to a persistent gap in support structures.
“Women are carrying significant responsibility, often without the safety nets they need,” she said. “Mentorship becomes that critical support — the space where women can pause, regroup, and grow beyond the pressures of simply coping.”
Recognising leaders who open doors
This year’s Mentor of the Year Award was jointly awarded to Dr Kgopotso Magoro and Thenzie Stewart, two leaders whose work continues to break down barriers for women entering and advancing in technology.
As Director of Learning and Innovation at National Treasury, Dr Magoro’s mentorship philosophy is rooted in recognising existing strengths rather than focusing on perceived shortcomings. Inspired by her upbringing in community-driven systems, she emphasises that women already possess the knowledge and capability needed to succeed.
Her impact is evident in the achievements of her mentees, from securing roles in education to advancing digital literacy in their communities. Her message to organisations is clear: move beyond deficit thinking and create spaces where women actively shape solutions.
Dr Kgopotso Magoro, Seugnette van Wyngaard, Thenzie Stewart. Photo supplied.
Mentorship beyond guidance
At the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Thenzie Stewart approaches mentorship as both guidance and advocacy. She actively sponsors women by connecting them to leadership opportunities, ensuring they are not only present in professional spaces but influential within them.
“Resilience has always been part of women’s experience,” Stewart said. “But thriving requires more — it needs support, opportunity, and the confidence to step fully into one’s potential.”
Her call to action challenges organisations to rethink inclusion, shifting from simply inviting women into existing systems to empowering them to reshape those systems entirely.
Building the future through education
Beyond recognition, the Wired4Women Awards continue to invest in future talent through a partnership with iSchoolAfrica. The initiative supports coding and robotics education for girls in under-resourced schools, helping to close the digital skills gap.
Founder Michelle Lissoos highlighted the importance of representation in inspiring young women.
“When girls see women leading in AI and technology, it becomes easier for them to imagine themselves in those roles,” she said. “These awards show that tech is not just about systems — it’s about leadership, creativity, and impact.”
Students attending the event were given the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, reflecting on how mentorship can help overcome barriers and unlock opportunities in ICT.
iSchoolAfrica founder Michelle Lissoos with learners from Athlone Girls High School. Photo supplied
A shared responsibility to uplift
The 2026 Wired4Women Awards reinforced a powerful message: mentorship is not a single act, but a collective responsibility. Whether through guiding, sponsoring, or simply recognising potential, every effort contributes to building a stronger, more inclusive industry.
Closing the event, van Wyngaard encouraged women to recognise their own role in this ecosystem of support.
“Every woman has the ability to open doors for someone else,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure the next generation doesn’t have to struggle as hard — to create a future defined by growth, opportunity, and women who thrive openly.”
As South Africa’s digital landscape continues to evolve, the emphasis on mentorship and empowerment signals a shift toward a more inclusive future — one where women are not just surviving the system, but actively shaping it.