Fourth-year ICT in Applications Development student, Lethokuhle Shandu hopes to harness technology to do good for her community and grow the love for this field amongst young females.

She decided to study IT at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and is thoroughly enjoying it. Shandu is a member of the IoT and Robotics club on campus. She is also part of a programme called the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) which enables her to collaborate with people outside of campus and around the world.

“You need to have an active social media profile, and keep up to date with technology news and the happenings in the Twitter space of technology. That is how I find most of the activities I participate in, for instance a hackathon I recently took part in,” she said.

She added that basic computer skills are vital in today’s digitalised world. “I want to create a space where people in the community feel welcome and to make technology a fun space for anyone. No person should be left behind. Teaching the youth about technology will enable them to change the world. I also want to help to bridge the gender gap in IT by encouraging young women in high school to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics.”

She stressed that the IoT and Robotics club gave her the confidence to further apply for the Microsoft programme. Shandu felt it was time for her to start putting the ideas she had out there. She aims to carry on learning because technology is forever evolving.

“I believe that I have so much more to experience to grow personally and professionally. I aim to spread this initiative across the continent and then to the rest of the world by collaborating with people with the same goals for young women in technology,” she added.

Students with a keen interest in technology can apply for the MLSA programme which is open all year round. It is: https://studentambassadors.microsoft.com/

Pictured: Lethokuhle Shandu

Waheeda Peters