By Staff Reporter
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the Womandla Foundation is preparing to honour women who are breaking barriers and transforming the country’s innovation economy through the return of its 6th Annual Women in STEAM Awards.
The awards, scheduled for 27 August 2026 at Avianto Wedding Venue & Events in Muldersdrift, will celebrate women making significant contributions in science, technology, engineering, energy, artificial intelligence, the arts and mathematics (STEAM). Held under the theme “From Her Hands to Yours,” the event recognises innovators whose work is creating economic opportunities and driving social change.
This year’s awards have revealed a notable increase in women’s participation in emerging industries, particularly artificial intelligence. According to the Womandla Foundation, entries in the AI category have grown five-fold since the previous awards, while manufacturing has appeared as a major category for the first time, reflecting the increasing number of women leading in engineering, production and industrial sectors.
Womandla Foundation Founder and Director Sam Gqomo said the quality and diversity of this year’s nominations demonstrate that more women are entering fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented.
“What we’re seeing in this year’s applications isn’t incremental it’s a surge. More women are stepping into industries where they’ve historically been underrepresented. The Awards not only recognise their achievements but also create the visibility, credibility and networks that help accelerate their careers and businesses,” said Gqomo.
Beyond recognising excellence, the event also serves as a fundraising initiative for the Womandla Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, mentorship and digital inclusion.
Funds raised during the awards will support the Foundation’s Womandla Reskilling Revolution Africa (WRRA) Programme, which equips women and young people with digital, artificial intelligence and employability skills. The programme also includes STEAM boot camps, mentorship initiatives and career exposure opportunities aimed at introducing girls from underserved communities to careers in science and technology.
The Foundation says investing in these programmes is critical to preparing more young women for careers in industries that are expected to shape South Africa’s future economy.
This year’s awards are supported by Tactile Technologies, PPS Insurance, BlueMoon Communications and the GPI Women’s Trust, organisations that have partnered with the Foundation to expand opportunities for women pursuing careers in STEAM fields.
The event is expected to attract business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, policymakers and innovators from across the country, creating a platform not only to celebrate achievement but also to strengthen networks that promote women’s participation in the innovation sector.
Businesses and members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative by purchasing tickets, hosting corporate tables or partnering with the Foundation to help expand opportunities for the next generation of women innovators.
