Perceptions and experiences of Southern African women in IT careers

Siwale, Kaluwa

Perceptions and experiences of Southern African women in IT careers

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Information Systems

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

The growing importance of having diverse workforces in the jobs of tomorrow reflects a need to understand the gender gap in STEM on the African continent. While most literature highlights the participation and advancement of African women in IT, little has examined their persistence in the field and how their experiences affect their careers. This qualitative study aimed to understand how the experiences of Southern African women in IT influence their careers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Southern African women in the IT industry at different career stages. Grounded in the theory of African feminism and abductive reasoning, the findings showed key insights: with agency as a key element, the women create or engage in collaborative support systems which facilitate their careers while also navigating gendered societal expectations. This allows them to practice resilience and persist in their IT careers. The participants' experiences illustrate the key values of African feminism: collaboration, negotiation, and agency to persist in their IT careers, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in balancing the demands of their professional and personal lives. The study highlights that women actively participate in their career decisions, using agency as an important tool and various resources to feel empowered. While recognising and acknowledging the challenges they are facing, the women also see their career journey as rewarding and are demonstrating self-confidence. This research contributes to existing knowledge on African women in STEM and offers a different lens to view African women in the IT workforce: Resilient and not defined by the challenges they experience.