African Changemaker

Zandile Mkwanazi

Zandile is an award-winning social entrepreneur who dreams of empowering 10 million women and girls with tech and coding skills by 2030.

She is doing this through GirlCode ZA, a non-profit organization she founded to empower young girls and women through technology. At GirlCode, Zandile is providing historically disadvantaged women with computer literacy, coding, and design skills. Her organization has created a network of women who can use these skills to develop innovative and sustainable solutions where they reside – making an impactful and visible difference in the communities they live.

Since its foundation, GirlCode has grown to be the most prominent women in tech lead educational organization in South Africa, impacting over 60 000 girls and women.
Zandile’s contribution to bridging the gender gap within the tech industry has won her multiple awards and honours.

In 2018 she received a social entrepreneur award from the premier of Gauteng.
The same year, the Netherlands embassy acknowledged her as one of South Africa’s top 50 inspiring women.

 

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