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Event Name
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Girls In ICT Event Hosted by The Mentorship Academy
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Description of the event
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The Mentorship Academy (TMA), in partnership with Nubian Smarts, hosted the International Girls in ICT Day 2026 at the University of Mpumalanga in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, on 23 April 2026. Held under the global theme ‘AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,’ the event united young learners, government leaders, academics, industry innovators, and community voices in a landmark celebration of female potential in the digital age.The event was conceptualised, organised, and delivered by The Mentorship Academy under the leadership of its Founder and Director, Brenda Mabaso a Mpumalanga-based organisation dedicated to empowering young women through mentorship, digital skills, and access to opportunity.The day drew approximately 100 young women in total: 40 high school learners from schools across Mpumalanga, and approximately 60 university students from the University of Mpumalanga who participated as mentors, ushers, and volunteers young women already on their own digital journeys, choosing to reach back and lift others up.
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Entity organizing the event, organizers
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ABOUT THE MENTORSHIP ACADEMYThe Mentorship Academy is a Mpumalanga-based non-profit organisation founded and led by Brenda Mabaso, dedicated to empowering young women through mentorship, digital skills development, and access to opportunity. TMA is committed to ensuring that no girl in Mpumalanga is left behind in the digital revolution.ABOUT NUBIAN SMARTSNubian Smarts is a technology and innovation company focused on driving digital inclusion and AI-powered learning experiences across Southern Africa. In partnership with The Mentorship Academy and Teens in AI, Nubian Smarts builds pathways that connect young people in underserved communities to the global digital economy.
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Panel 1:"Bridging the Gap: What Will It Take to Get MoreGirls into ICT?"- Ms C Moshaba (Mod), Ms. T Hlabela, Ms.B Mabunda, Prof Whayi, Ms. L Ochan
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Opening Keynote — Honourable Ms. MakhosazaneChristine MasilelaSpeaker of the Legislature committed to ensuring increased participation of girls in digital skills in the province
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Girls in ICT Day 2026 confirmed what The Mentorship Academy and Nubian Smarts have always believed: given the platform, the tools, and the encouragement, young women in Mpumalanga will build extraordinary things. Ten AI-powered solutions in 80 minutes, by learners who had never used these tools before not a small achievement. It is proof of concept for a movement.
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Men's Role in ICT Inclusion: "Beyond Allies: HowMen Can Actively Champion Girls in Tech"- Mr. D Ngoma(Mod), Mr. S Mthethwa, Mr. P Magagula, Mr. S Mashimane,Mr. Ishamel
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