"Coding by Candlelight: Africa’s Digital Future Starts Now" | Boitumelo Makgoba | TEDxJabavu
In this stirring and urgent talk, a trailblazing young CTO challenges the barriers of access, privilege, and gatekeeping in the technology sector. Speaking from her lived experience as a rural girl who rose to tech leadership, she issues a call to action: empower Africa’s youth not through permission, but through purpose. From boardrooms to village classrooms, she reimagines a continent where the next great innovator isn’t waiting in Silicon Valley—but is already coding by candlelight in Venda. This is more than a talk—it's a blueprint for rewriting Africa’s digital destiny. Boitumelo Makgoba is a visionary leader in Data Science, AI, and Predictive Analytics, driving data-driven innovation and business transformation. As Founder & CEO of Fetsi Data Technologies, she leads AI strategies, data monetisation, and agritech initiatives. Through Fetsi Impact Hub, she empowers entry-level IT professionals and unemployed graduates with career pathways. She also champions agritech training, equipping farmers with climate-smart skills for economic resilience. Recognised among SA’s Top 10 Tech Leaders, Top 100 CIOs, and Top 50 Under 50 (UN Women), Boitumelo is committed to democratising knowledge and opportunity. At TEDxJabavu 2025, she will share her mission to empower IT professionals and agripreneurs through inclusive platforms that drive growth and social impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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