BY BONGIWE DLAMINI
Mbabane
Artificial intelligence (AI), entrepreneurship and cybersecurity will take centre stage today as women from various professional sectors converge.
This will happen at the InnovateHER Indaba at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre.
The indaba has dedicated sessions aimed at exposing participants to emerging trends in technology and innovation, while encouraging women to explore opportunities in business and the digital economy.
The event is anchored on five core principles, Inspire, Ignite, Innovate, Inclusive and Impact.
The Inspire pillar seeks to share common struggles and turn them into strength, while transforming ambition into achievement, while the Ignite focuses on creating awareness and encouraging women to pursue careers in business and technology through practical engagement and networking opportunities, while also promoting wellness.
The other pillars; Innovate and Inclusive, aim to educate participants on critical issues in business, technology and wellness, particularly those seeking new and different opportunities and empower women with confidence by highlighting the vital role they play through resilience in Eswatini’s business and cybersecurity ecosystem, respectively.
Meanwhile, Impact is intended to provide a platform for Emaswati to embrace the technology revolution and become changemakers shaping economies, communities and the next generation.
The workshop is the brainchild of entrepreneur, communications strategist and wellness advocate Nadja Smoor, who has spent more than two decades building businesses, championing women, fostering innovation and creating platforms that bring people together.
One of the highlights of today’s programme will be a 55-minute AI Sprint Workshop presented virtually by CEO and founder of Global Innovation & AI Specialists Andrea Prazakova.
The programme will also feature Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya and Eswatini National Provident Fund Chief Executive Officer Futhi Tembe as keynote speakers.
The morning programme will be followed by a business-focused session before the Indaba moves into the afternoon programme, where technology will again feature prominently.
A virtual session on inspiration and cybersecurity will be presented by Ncebakazi Tyialisi, a junior cybersecurity specialist from Absa South Africa.
Entrepreneurship and innovation will also feature, with Kimlynn Temple scheduled to lead a session on the subject.
The technology-focused discussions form part of a broader programme covering women in finance, business and wellness.
The indaba will also bring together industry leaders under the Men as Allies theme, with the African Alliance Group Managing Partner S’thofeni Ginindza, MTN Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Jerry Soko, Kwakha Indvodza founder and Director of TDR Consulting Tom Churchyard and Coca-Cola CPS Eswatini General Manager Muzi Mahlobo taking part in discussions.
Meanwhile, Eswatini Beverages Managing Director Doreen Tumureebire, Founder of LUNA Hair Sereia Masilela, Public Health and Health Financing Specialist Lindiwe Zwane, and Khokho and Dala Spaces founder Phillippa Thorne are the women in business who will give tips and discuss on strengths and weaknesses in their spaces.
The panel discussions will be moderated by Eswatini Observer acting Managing Director Mbongeni Mbingo and Phiwo Dhlamini.
