Pictures are supplied by: Infinite Tech Space
Fikile Mdiniso is an award-winning Technology Leader in corporate South Africa and Founder and CEO of Infinite Tech Space, an organization that offers mentorship and networking opportunities to young technology professionals and students aspiring to pursue studies and a career in the field. The organization was founded 2023 when she saw a growing need in her field of trade for access to education, mentorship and development networks aimed at empowering young people (with emphasis to young women) with skills to be more confident in the industry. She believes this will shift the paradigm both in the country and continent at large to build a technologically fit and capable culture for innovation from the skills brewed locally. Her observed that with developed continents like Asia and Western regions that have proven to have adopted a science and technology rich culture, they instilled this earlier in their youth. They invest in forming networks of support and empowerment for STEM fields. Embracing and leveraging on what you already have while learning from the ones that have a proven record for success can build a foundation to the right direction. Technology has been a constant for change with every year bringing disruptive and innovative opportunities. The world has a growing demand for technology skills which gives organizations like Infinite Tech Space an opportunity to empower the next generation of technology pioneers who will contribute to the ecosystem.
Pictures are supplied by: Infinite Tech Space
The journey starts with raising awareness of the skills demand in the industry for High School students in grade 10-12 because this is the point where they decide on academic subjects that will determine their Tertiary education, then moves through to University where the requirements to be industry fit is cultivated. Here the students go through an immersion with various industry expects in Technology through online and physical engagements to both inspire and empower them for their next steps into the industry. This phase is the most critical because it sets the tone and creates exposure in the early stages which will influence their decision to either follow entrepreneurship or the labor force. The last stage is for young professionals joining the industry either as entrepreneurs or employed professionals who are paired with mentors and sponsors to guide them through their career journey and aspirations. Fikile continues to be inspired to pay it forward through lifelong learning and affiliations including the International Women’s Forum, Young Leaders Connect, Women in Tech, Women of Stature Foundation and Industrial Development Corporation. Her encounter with these organizations has shaped her road to pursue social entrepreneurship to nurture and build the future of Technology in community. Through her work in her industry and community she was awarded Women In Technology 2024 at the Woman of Stature Awards in April and now contributes her industry knowledge as a mentor in the Woman of Stature Foundation Mentorship Program.
Pictures are supplied by: Infinite Tech Space
“Being multifaceted in the corporate, academia, media industry and social entrepreneurship, I want to inspire the youth to allow their passion and mission to be the foundation of every journey they choose. It is important to find different areas of your life that motivate and bring out the best in you. I came across the KIGAI concept and that has been the foundation to why I do what I do. This concept enables you to identify your passion, profession, mission, and vocation. All of which contribute to living a happy and impactful life through what you do. For me being in the various industries has brought out different elements of myself. I realized my passion was in academia and inspiring others to be the best version of themselves, my profession is in corporate and media (modelling and pageantry). And my mission and vocation are advocacy movements and creating networks that empower the youth and women for economic participation and growth. I believe that finding your IKIGAI is the foundation to leading a life of purpose and impact.