InnovateHER Send-Off: Celebrating the First Cohort
African Female Voices proudly hosted the InnovateHER send-off and graduation for our first cohort of Grade 12 learners, marking an important milestone in their STEM education journey. The event brought together students from IkamvaYouth in Ivory Park and Diepsloot, who attended a morning session at the IkamvaYouth Center, and learners from Seshegong Secondary in Centurion and Botse Botse Secondary in Soshanguve, who participated in an afternoon session at the NRF-SAASTA headquarters.
The day featured interactive workshops on exam preparation and CV writing, expertly facilitated by Reabetswe Malatjie and Siphokazi Dunge, members of the African Female Voices LeadHERship Professional Development Program: 2025 cohort. Students were eager to engage, ask questions, and share insights — a true reflection of their curiosity, determination, and commitment to women in STEM.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to teachers, school staff, and community members for making this possible by availing the learners, and to all our supporters who have walked with us from the launch in May to today’s send-off, mentoring students, guiding them in university applications, and helping them explore career opportunities in STEM.
Despite challenges with funding and running afterschool and school programs, our learners showed remarkable resilience. Today, we celebrate their achievements and growth, and we are proud to see these young African women stepping confidently into their STEM futures.
To our InnovateHER students: good luck on your exams, university applications, and beyond — the future is yours to shape! 💜
We look forward to empowering even more young women in STEM and continuing this journey of inspiration, mentorship, and opportunity.
Empowering tomorrow's leaders today
About the Project
African Female Voices proudly hosted the InnovateHER send-off and graduation for our first cohort of Grade 12 learners, marking an important milestone in their STEM education journey. The event brought together students from IkamvaYouth in Ivory Park and Diepsloot, who attended a morning session at the IkamvaYouth Center, and learners from Seshegong Secondary in Centurion and Botse Botse Secondary in Soshanguve, who participated in an afternoon session at the NRF-SAASTA headquarters.
The day featured interactive workshops on exam preparation and CV writing, expertly facilitated by Reabetswe Malatjie and Siphokazi Dunge, members of the African Female Voices LeadHERship Professional Development Program: 2025 cohort. Students were eager to engage, ask questions, and share insights — a true reflection of their curiosity, determination, and commitment to women in STEM.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to teachers, school staff, and community members for making this possible by availing the learners, and to all our supporters who have walked with us from the launch in May to today’s send-off, mentoring students, guiding them in university applications, and helping them explore career opportunities in STEM.
Despite challenges with funding and running afterschool and school programs, our learners showed remarkable resilience. Today, we celebrate their achievements and growth, and we are proud to see these young African women stepping confidently into their STEM futures.
To our InnovateHER students: good luck on your exams, university applications, and beyond — the future is yours to shape! 💜
We look forward to empowering even more young women in STEM and continuing this journey of inspiration, mentorship, and opportunity.
What is offered in the guide
Exam Preparation
University Readiness
University Readiness
Discover effective strategies for studying, stress management techniques, and essential life skills that will empower African women to excel in assessment, particularly in the context of STEM education. Engage with initiatives like the InnovateHER project that support women in STEM and foster empowerment in STEM fields.
University Readiness
University Readiness
University Readiness
Receive guidance on selecting STEM-related courses and understanding qualifications, especially for African women pursuing empowerment in STEM. Navigate the university application process with insights from the InnovateHER project, including tips on accessing bursaries and financial aid to support women in STEM.
Career Outlook
University Readiness
Career Outlook
Explore insights into STEM career opportunities for African women, emphasizing the empowerment in STEM, the significance of soft skills, and discover mentorship and networking resources through the InnovateHER project to assist in your transition from STEM education to the workforce, particularly for women in STEM.
Our Goal, Objectives, and deliverables
The InnovateHER project is dedicated to the empowerment of African women by encouraging them to engage in and excel within STEM education. This initiative provides essential resources, support, and guidance specifically tailored to their academic and career development needs in the STEM fields.
Objectives:
Enhance Academic Readiness: Provide students with effective exam preparation strategies, study skills, and stress management techniques to improve performance in academic assessments.
Facilitate University Preparation: Offer guidance on selecting STEM courses, understanding qualification requirements, navigating the university application process, and accessing bursaries and financial aid.
Promote Career Development: Share insights into STEM career opportunities, emphasize the importance of soft skills, and provide resources for mentorship and networking to support students' transition from education to the workforce.
Deliverables:
Comprehensive Guide: A user-friendly, 15-page printed and digital guide titled "InnovateHER," containing sections on effective exam preparation, university readiness, and career outlook in STEM. The guide will be visually appealing and accessible to the target audience of women in STEM.
Digital PDF Version: An easily downloadable PDF version of the InnovateHER guide available on educational platforms and shared via social media, ensuring broad access for female students across South Africa.
Feedback Report: A compiled report summarizing feedback and evaluations from students and educators post-distribution of the guide, including insights on the guide's effectiveness, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Workshops for Students: A series of interactive workshops designed to empower and equip female students with essential skills and knowledge for success in STEM fields.
Meet the InnovateHER mentees
The Future of STEM
The InnovateHER project is dedicated to the empowerment of African women by encouraging them to engage in and excel within STEM education. This initiative provides essential resources, support, and guidance specifically tailored to their academic and career development needs in the STEM fields.
Objectives:
Enhance Academic Readiness: Provide students with effective exam preparation strategies, study skills, and stress management techniques to improve performance in academic assessments.
Facilitate University Preparation: Offer guidance on selecting STEM courses, understanding qualification requirements, navigating the university application process, and accessing bursaries and financial aid.
Promote Career Development: Share insights into STEM career opportunities, emphasize the importance of soft skills, and provide resources for mentorship and networking to support students' transition from education to the workforce.
Deliverables:
Comprehensive Guide: A user-friendly, 15-page printed and digital guide titled "InnovateHER," containing sections on effective exam preparation, university readiness, and career outlook in STEM. The guide will be visually appealing and accessible to the target audience of women in STEM.
Digital PDF Version: An easily downloadable PDF version of the InnovateHER guide available on educational platforms and shared via social media, ensuring broad access for female students across South Africa.
Feedback Report: A compiled report summarizing feedback and evaluations from students and educators post-distribution of the guide, including insights on the guide's effectiveness, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Workshops for Students: A series of interactive workshops designed to empower and equip female students with essential skills and knowledge for success in STEM fields.
Speakers who Participated at the launch
Reabetswe Molapo
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Reabetswe Molapo
Discover effective strategies for studying, stress management techniques, and essential life skills that will empower African women to excel in assessment, particularly in the context of STEM education. Engage with initiatives like the InnovateHER project that support women in STEM and foster empowerment in STEM fields.
Gugulethu Zwane
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Reabetswe Molapo
Receive guidance on selecting STEM-related courses and understanding qualifications, especially for African women pursuing empowerment in STEM. Navigate the university application process with insights from the InnovateHER project, including tips on accessing bursaries and financial aid to support women in STEM.
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Explore insights into STEM career opportunities for African women, emphasizing the empowerment in STEM, the significance of soft skills, and discover mentorship and networking resources through the InnovateHER project to assist in your transition from STEM education to the workforce, particularly for women in STEM.
Dr Judy Dlamini
Nozibusiso Gumede
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
School/Organization: IkamvaYouth, Diepsloot
Age: 16
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science
Dream Career: Civil Engineer
Location: Diepsloot
Profile: Palesa is passionate about empowering herself and other young African women through STEM education. As part of the InnovateHER project, she dreams of becoming a civil engineer to contribute to community development and infrastructure projects, showcasing the importance of women in STEM.
Nozibusiso Gumede
Nozibusiso Gumede
Nozibusiso Gumede
School/Organization: IkamvaYouth, Diepsloot
Age: 16
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science
Dream Career: Software Developer
Location: Diepsloot
Profile: Emihle is an inspiring example of African women in STEM, demonstrating her passion for creating and building from scratch. As a participant in the InnovateHER project, she believes in her ability to innovate and is dedicated to pursuing a career in tech, contributing to the empowerment in STEM for future generations.
Boitumelo Lekhoe
Nozibusiso Gumede
Nozibusiso Gumede
School/Organization: IkamvaYouth, Diepsloot
Age: 17
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Accounting
Dream Career: Civil Engineer
Location: Diepsloot
Profile: Bokamoso is a focused and driven young woman, passionate about becoming a world-recognized civil engineer. As part of the InnovateHER project, she represents the empowerment of African women in STEM fields. Committed to her studies, she is constantly pushing toward her goals and exemplifying the importance of STEM education for women in STEM.
Luyanda Khumbuza
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
School/Organization: IkamvaYouth, Diepsloot Age: 17 Subject Focus: Mathematics & Accounting Dream Career: Data Scientist Location: Diepsloot Profile: Kwandiswa is an inspiring example of African women pursuing empowerment in STEM. She enjoys research and combining math with statistics, embodying the spirit of the InnovateHER project. With a strong focus on STEM education, she is determined to use her analytical skills to help solve complex problems, paving the way for more women in STEM.
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
School/Organization: IkamvaYouth, Diepsloot
Age: 18
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science
Dream Career: Doctor
Location: Diepsloot
Profile: Samantha is an inspiring example of African women in STEM, passionate about healthcare and helping others. As part of the InnovateHER project, she is dedicated to empowerment in STEM and strives to become a medical professional to serve her community.
Khanyisile Masemola
Prof Tebogo Mashifana
Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo
School/Organization: Seshegong Secondary, Olievenhoutbosch
Age: 17
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science
Dream Career: Software Engineer / Data Analyst
Location: Olievenhoutbosch
Profile: Sindisiwe, an aspiring African woman, embodies the spirit of empowerment in STEM. At just 17, she is inquisitive and analytical, with a passion for reading, debates, and research. Through her involvement in the InnovateHER project, she is highly motivated to succeed in tech-related fields, aiming to contribute to the growing representation of women in STEM education.
Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo
School/Organization: Seshegong Secondary, Olievenhoutbosch Age: 17 Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science Dream Career: Radiographer / Physiotherapist Location: Olievenhoutbosch Profile: Skholofeng, an aspiring African woman, is passionate about health sciences and the empowerment in STEM fields. She enjoys reading, playing netball, and helping others. As a participant in the InnovateHER project, she is dedicated to her future in medical fields and is motivated to contribute to the growing community of women in STEM.
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
School/Organization: Seshegong Secondary, Olievenhoutbosch
Age: 17
Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science
Dream Career: Dental Surgeon / Biomedical Engineer
Location: Olievenhoutbosch
Profile: Nonjabulo is a curious young woman passionate about empowerment in STEM, especially for African women. She loves asking questions and is determined to contribute to the InnovateHER project by improving health outcomes through her future career in healthcare and research, inspired by her STEM education.
Pabalelo Banks
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe
School/Organization: Seshegong Secondary, Olievenhoutbosch Age: 17 Subject Focus: Mathematics & Physical Science Dream Career: Pharmacologist / Chemical Engineer Location: Olievenhoutbosch Profile: Fezeka is an inspiring example of African women in STEM. She enjoys debates, mind games, and reading, all of which contribute to her empowerment in STEM. As part of the InnovateHER project, she is determined to excel in her chosen scientific field and contribute to the health or chemical industries with her skills and knowledge, embodying the spirit of women in STEM education.
InnovateHER exclusive
Access the guide and photos
The InnovateHER project is dedicated to the empowerment of African women by encouraging them to engage in and excel within STEM education. This initiative provides essential resources, support, and guidance specifically tailored to their academic and career development needs in the STEM fields.
Objectives:
Enhance Academic Readiness: Provide students with effective exam preparation strategies, study skills, and stress management techniques to improve performance in academic assessments.
Facilitate University Preparation: Offer guidance on selecting STEM courses, understanding qualification requirements, navigating the university application process, and accessing bursaries and financial aid.
Promote Career Development: Share insights into STEM career opportunities, emphasize the importance of soft skills, and provide resources for mentorship and networking to support students' transition from education to the workforce.
Deliverables:
Comprehensive Guide: A user-friendly, 15-page printed and digital guide titled "InnovateHER," containing sections on effective exam preparation, university readiness, and career outlook in STEM. The guide will be visually appealing and accessible to the target audience of women in STEM.
Digital PDF Version: An easily downloadable PDF version of the InnovateHER guide available on educational platforms and shared via social media, ensuring broad access for female students across South Africa.
Feedback Report: A compiled report summarizing feedback and evaluations from students and educators post-distribution of the guide, including insights on the guide's effectiveness, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Workshops for Students: A series of interactive workshops designed to empower and equip female students with essential skills and knowledge for success in STEM fields.