Techno Girl helps to make dreams come true

Siphokazi Dayimane beams as she steps down from the podium at the UNICEF International Council Symposium in October 2019. Twenty-three-years-old and an alumnus of UNICEF South Africa’s Techno Girl programme, Siphokazi has been invited to share her story with dignitaries including the First Lady of South Africa, Dr. Tshepo Motsepe, and UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and globally renowned music icon, Yvonne Chaka Chaka. Describing the evening afterwards she says, “the highlight of the night […], was the opportunity for me to share my story, affording everyone the chance to see the outcome of their investment and be the source of motivation to continue doing great by the children of Africa.”

Siphokazi is from Cape Town and grew up on the Cape Flats with her parents and three siblings. Her entire family was dependant on social grants as both Siphokazi’s parents were unemployed. Often described as the “dumping ground of the apartheid regime”, the Cape Flats is where thousands of 'non-white' families were forced to move in the early 1950s as a result of the Group Areas Act. Today, the area suffers from high levels of violent crime, unemployment and substance abuse. As a young woman growing up under these conditions, turning dreams of a brighter future into reality is a huge challenge.

In 2012, Siphokazi was selected by her school to join the Techno Girl programme in her Grade 10 year. The programme – a joint collaboration between UNICEF, the Ministry in the Presidency: Women, the Department of Basic Education, the State Information Technology Agency and Uweso Consulting (the implementing partner) – aims specifically to promote girls’ participation and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. By offering girls from grades 9 to 11 an opportunity to take part in job shadowing, mentorship and skills development programmes in the public and private sectors, Techno Girls is supporting young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their dreams and become professional women of the future.

After joining the programme, Siphokazi started job shadowing at PetroSA in Mossel Bay and continued until the end of 2013 when she completed Grade 11. Like many beneficiaries of the programme, Siphokazi credits Techno Girls with motivating her to work hard at school and inspiring her peers to remain focused on their studies. “Being part of the Techno Girl programme was a blessing for me, it gave me hope where the future was dark. Not only did I receive a bursary, but I was more informed on career choices and what I wanted to study. The programme groomed me, and it was easy for me to follow my dreams and goals because I have seen role models in the workplace during my job shadowing days,” she says.

After completing high school in 2014 – and with the support of PetroSA – Siphokazi proceeded to further her tertiary education, taking up a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Cape Town. When she received her degree, Siphokazi joined the PetroSA Graduate in Training Programme in February 2020. Speaking about her experience, Siphokazi said, “I’m looking forward to working at PetroSA, representing young female African scientist,” before going on to add, “my dream is to also inspire more young girls to become scientists and offer job shadowing opportunities to them when I work at PetroSA. I’m looking forward to showing them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and trust the people that believe in you. I’m proof that anyone can make it!”

Siphokazi’s commitment to her dream is evident through her actions. At her University, she became a mentor in the 100UP project – a programme that targets school learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and prepares them to get into university. Now, as a spokesperson for 100UP, she has helped other Techno Girls to get bursaries by sharing her personal story. “I believe in the Techno Girl programme as it guided me, many of my friends, and many other girls like us. Many of us alumni are now in higher education or employed and this was made possible by the guidance we received through the Techno Girl programme,” she said.