Apiwe Hotele

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I am a computer engineer with over 9 years' experience in engineering and expertise in initiating, developing, executing and leading large-scale global science projects. I am passionate about digital inclusion, particularly the inclusion of women and girls in STEM and rural communities. I am an expert in digital inclusion and have run many programs and initiatives that use technology to develop rural communities and minimize the digital gap. My most valuable contribution will be my competencies in systems engineering, product development, digital inclusion and technology innovation and commercialization. I have profound knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Best practices one can use for scaling a product with impact and revenue in mind.
2. Best practices for using storytelling to sell your product, grow users and attract partners and investors.
3. Mechanisms and techniques used to ensure AI tools and systems are and remain safe and ethical.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Have exposure to the company culture
• Focus on leadership skills building
• Expand on a project that I’m working on in my current role at home
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

A company that has released products in the market, preferably technology products that have a social impact. My ideal company is a product-led technology organization that has built usable products for a large number of users. A company with a team of product managers and software engineers alongside other cross-functional teams. A company that uses artificial intelligence and had developed AI governance and ethical policies. A company that values the inclusion of women in STEM. A company that has products on the market with active users, generating revenue in an impactful way.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Assertive
2. Reliable
3. Curious

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

My goal is to build technology products and services to improve the livelihoods of ordinary people, scaling these products and running programs and initiatives to ensure that girls, women and rural communities are included in the digital revolution. My TechWomen mentorship will help me learn new techniques and methods to achieve this from the best companies and empower me with the right skill set and network to help me achieve my desired goal.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

I will achieve my 5-year vision for Enlighten Edu sooner which is to assist 15,000 students struggling with mathematics and science from rural areas. Through the networks and learnings, I will be able to expand the #EmpoweringHerVoice Oral Competition from regional to national and ensure that girls from the 9 provinces in South Africa participate. Our vision is to have assisted over 1,000 girls by the end of 2026. I believe I will grow as a leader, learn more about cultures, form relationships and advance my goal of being a global leader in Tech.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

9

Primary Professional Focus

• Educational technology
• Technical product design
• Technical project and program manager

Education History