Usually, when we hear or speak about new technology, we automatically assume that there must be a man behind the innovation.
However, women have played a vital role in the development of technology and ICT. From Ada Lovelace, the “First Programmer” who foresaw the rise of the computer almost two hundred years ago; to Margaret Hamilton whose code let a man land on the moon for the first time.
In this article, we spoke to Fanisa Mkansi about her journey becoming an IT facilitator and her advice for other women interested in carrying on this proud legacy.
How did your teaching career start?
“It started when I was in grade 10, we used to do Mathematics, so after school, I used to sit down with the other students and then assist them with Mathematics. Sometimes they would come to my place at home for assistance.
Another thing that pushed me towards teaching/facilitating is that my sister’s mom is a teacher. She was teaching Mathematics at her school, so she used to take me with her most of the time on Saturdays and Sundays as she used to conduct classes for learners who are behind, so I also used to assist her with those learners.”
How did you come about being an IT Facilitator?
“It started when I was in college, but my aim was not to become a facilitator; I was just volunteering to assist students in college with IT, especially new students.
I used to facilitate them, basically guiding them on how the IT industry works and how to use computers, so that’s how I started loving being an IT Facilitator.
That experience helped me to see that being an IT facilitator could be my dream job one day.”
So when you got an opportunity to be an IT facilitator at ORT, how did you feel?
“Wow, I was so happy because I can say it was my first professional job that I got so it made me realize that this is the opportunity for me to grow and to learn more because ORT gave me a chance to do something that I’ve been doing for the past few years, so it was a dream come true.”
What would you say to other women considering a career in IT?
“I will say to all the ladies out there when it comes to the subject of IT; I know that most of you run away and say it’s difficult.
But what I have learned is that everything is difficult when you look at it from afar but try to understand it; by doing that, you get to see and know that IT is not that difficult as people say it is.
As long as you focus and tell yourself that you want to achieve that goal, you will achieve it.”
Thank you to Fanisa for sharing her experiences with us, and we wish her all the best in her career.
If you’d like to help more women like her fulfil their dreams of working in the ICT sector, partner with ORT SA or donate today and help us Educate for Life.
“The impact of working at ORT SA was something I never saw coming. It was when my career growth really took off.”
“The ORT SA house (offices) is full of history, culture and people working hard to make a difference. I was instantly part of this family culture which was where I started seeing the world differently.
Little did I know how much I was about to grow. Not only was it my first job, but it was a place where I was transformed into a person who got to know herself better. It was a place where I could grow professionally, learn and hone in on various skills set.
I gained admin and marketing experience in the ORT Jet department. I built relationships with the businesses and mentors on the programme. We hosted numerous training sessions in the evenings and webinars, which is where I was exposed to business topics. I loved hearing all the stories and seeing first-hand the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.
I also worked in the Skills department on the YES programme. This was a work placement programme for unemployed youth. I visited the youth to assess their progress which gave me insight into a new field.
I have learnt so much in just three years from my colleagues who were like family and mentors to me. As well as the rewarding opportunity to be part of all the training, develop my skills, meet the mentors, facilitators, and all the influential people in between. What an experience to work in a family-like culture and at the same time learn from industry experts daily.
Lots of Inspiration and ideas brewed over the years. I decided to take the jump into the world of business. I am excited to use everything I have learnt to apply it to my own business and see what else I can do with it.
ORT SA thrives on educating others and gives them an opportunity to have the skill sets required to enter the world of work. After working at ORT, I realised how powerful education is. It’s always yours to keep, and it can never be taken away from you.
It was a work experience that I will always hold dear to me.
Education has been getting a lot of criticism for not fulfilling its purpose. Some even claiming, that schools are not preparing our children to the world of work and are ‘being out of touch of industry and skills demand’.
For education to fulfil its mission, I believe we need to look ahead at trends and respond to the skills and talent required. Keep renovating our curriculum and incorporate soft skills and mental coping tools.
I’ve categorized Some of the trends to consider in education policies and curriculum to the five Gs:
Green economy
Gender
Generation (technology progress)
Gaming
Hygiene physical and mental
Lockdown and work from a home situation caused a significant reduction in usage of transportation and the plummet in petrol prices. This raised the awareness of the Green economy.
According to the Economist, (September 2020), a return to the “old world” post covid19 is unlikely. ‘Power in the 21st Century’ article, claims that as the public, governments and investors wake up to climate change, the clean – energy industry is gaining momentum. As an overview of the new energy system emerges, we have to examine the implications of education and skills development. Taking into consideration, professions related to renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.
In the ORT network, there are schools which incorporate programmes preparing youth towards this transformation. For example, Lyce’e ORT Strasbourg, offers a course to ensure students develop skills in analyzing and creating technical solutions to deal with issues related to energy, the energy efficiency of systems and their effect on the environment.
Gender biases and inequality have been brought into public attention in various ways, most recently with the #metoo movement.
An interesting finding by NICD-CRAM,(panel survey of South Africans tracking the impact of COVID-19), showed that women were disproportionally affected by the Covid19 crisis. They were more likely than men to lose their jobs, as well as taking a greater share of the additional child care as a result of school closure due to lockdown.
Over the years data has shown that globally, women are paid relatively less than men. I believe that to alter this inequality, we need to consider our curriculum and ways to raise awareness amongst our youth, from earlier on in their schools and career path.
At ORT SA, we run coding programmes promoting female participation and raising awareness to IT professions not “only as a profession for male”.
The progress of technology and 5G brought up the advance in generation technologies widening the digital gap even further.
How far technology can take us, can be left to our imagination and the innovators and dreamers amongst us. The more technology evolves, the more the gap between disadvantaged communities to more privileged ones expands. With poor infrastructure, lack of resources and lack of knowledge contributing to this growing gap.
ORT2Connect campaign calls on people to donate their second hand, unused devices to communities in need.
The ORT Digital Ready for work programme aims to equip the unemployed youth with digital skills required for the digitized workplace. Starting with digital skills (including collaboration skills) from an early stage at school will ensure the youth is equipped with and ready for the ever-changing world of jobs.
Global shutdown and people staying at hone increased the gaming industry. Some say that ‘The Games industry is now bigger than the movie industry worldwide’.
The available jobs in this industry require various professions; Game designers, animators, writers, video game testers, software developers, computer programmers, audio engineer’s interpreters and translators as well as a technical support specialist. Research shows that to get youth into these professions an early intervention and education needs to be incorporated from an early stage.
Upskilling youth from schooling level, one can ensure that these youth will have a high likelihood of being employable. Online gaming is not for entertainment solely and can be used for educational purposes, gamification in the workplace and social change.
The pandemic has impacted the way we watch our hygiene behaviour. In education, the focus has been on physical hygiene, ensuring kids adhere to washing their hands and keeping to healthy manners.
However, increasingly, we realize the importance of keeping checks with the kids’ mental health.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, more than 25% of teens ages 13-18 will experience any anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. This seems to be a global phenomenon and the importance of mental health and wellbeing in schools is moreover about developing coping strategies and providing tools.
COVID-19 has been a trigger to transformation in different sectors and industries. The education and skills development sector need to have a discussion on how we adapt and transform the offering so not to become redundant and affronted.
This article was written and published first by our CEO Ariellah Rosenberg on her blog called Ariellah’s Technoblog
The ORT SA BGM 2020 was hosted successfully online for the very first time highlighting our paramount digital transformation this year.
ORT SA rose to the challenge by moving from the traditional classroom teaching for their learners, to using online digital methods.
Dan Green, World ORT CEO, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein and Israeli ambassador Lior Keinan, all addressed the attendees.
The theme at the ORT SA BGM 2020 was “Honouring our Legacy, Reshaping the Future” with Prof Barry Dwolatzky, JCSE at Wits University as the Keynote Speaker for the evening and new unit of the ORT SANational Executive Committee.
“The Digital Transformation has been fast-tracked due to COVID-19 and our primary function should be to focus on getting businesses online and familiar with the Digital World”.
The current situation in the world and the Coronavirus pandemic has lead us into unprecedented times. Prof Barry Dwolatzky, who has recently joined the ORT SA NEC Board, touched on the issues of the current and future workplace. Not only were we thrust into a new way of learning and teaching, but also into a new way of thinking, in our daily lives and everyday business routines.
The Coronavirus forced companies to allow their employees to work remotely from home or shut down. While most companies went the route of #WFH, some companies were unable to do so and after many years of providing a service or product have shut down.
ORT SA’s commendable achievements were acknowledged by the ORT SA NEC committee and supportive World ORT members. The story of ORT and its story of change is clear, evoking that the greatest gift is sharing skills and knowledge with others.
“I have been inspired by this community for making it through this year which truly shows the greatness of the human spirit,” said Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein. “The work that ORT and ORT Jet does is so important by giving people skills, knowledge and insight to improve themselves” he added. “This is true empowerment, by helping others reach their full potential and contribute to the economy- this comes from education,” he said
“It has been an honour to be associated with this organisation” Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein concluded.
Dan Green, Director General and CEO of World ORT and Rabbi Craig Kacev, General Director of SABJE, announced the “Permanent affiliation of SABJE to World ORT”
Rabbi Kacev noted, “ORT has over the past years been a faithful and dedicated partner of Jewish Education”. King David, Herzlia and the other Jewish schools have benefitted from their guidance in technology education, teacher training and outreach and upliftment initiatives to fellow South Africans.”
“The move to a permanent affiliation is an honour, said Rabbi Kacev, one which SABJE will work on and not take for granted and ensure that it is nurtured for the mutual benefit and synergy of SABJE and ORT.
Rabbi Kacev concluded, “ORT is a big network and it will take some time for the King David Schools to feel the bond with the entire network, but this will develop over the years ahead”
Dan Green, in his address, said: “
“Two of the pillars of World ORT today are Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, which I’m sure you are all familiar with and Tikkun Am – which is essentially the creative and significant flourishing of the Jewish people.
I can’t think of a better example around the ORT world where these two philosophies reside together with such tremendous results than in ORT SA”
Just like the goal of Tzedakah, comes from the route of Tzedek, its right, it’s just. It’s an equitable redistribution. If someone has been blessed with more, then they have the privilege and responsibility of helping someone who has less, but not that they should always remain needy.
The point is to help them to become independent – giving them life skills. We all know about teaching a man or woman to fish….The most important thing is to give someone dignity, to give someone the ability and opportunity to make something of themselves. Dan concluded by linking this to ORT’s vision of educating for life.
CEO of ORT SA, Ariellah Rosenberg was commended by Dan Green, from World ORT for her tremendous leadership, courage and dedication to the organisation upholding the vision of World ORT– “educating for life”
“Covid19 and lockdown implications worldwide, have demonstrated the opportunities for disruption in education and schooling. It is the perfect timing to formalise the affiliation of SABJE to World ORT.
World ORT, is known for its cutting edge technologies in education and worldwide network of schools. I, therefore, envisage collaboration and interventions that promote 21st Century skills, project based learning that develop analytical and investigative skills and, most importantly, the connection with people to enhance the Social and EQ intelligence of our youth.” said Ariellah Rosenberg.
Our organisation has grown in many ways this year. Some projects saw expansion beyond our expectations, such as our Coding and Robotics Clubs. A 12-year Mathematics programme has come to an end. In 2007, ORT SA signed a long- term unique partnership with Bidvest to provide Mathematics support, so crucially needed, to primary and high schools in the Alexandra township. Almost 17 000 learners were impacted by 300 teachers who received training and laptops, to equip them with 21st century skills in the classroom. Twelve years later, some mathematics distinctions are expected!
ORT SA’s pioneering Coding and Robotics Clubs expanded this year to 50 township primary and high schools, to 177 teachers and to 3633 pupils across Gauteng. The average female participation in these clubs is 70%, a huge contribution to gender imbalance.
Through the ORT SA Skills and Enterprise Development Academy, we are impacting 1600 unemployed youth by placing them in schools and SME’s for workplace experience. It is said that when one person works in South Africa, another seven are supported. Twenty-one disabled youth are in computer learnerships and 63 small businesses owners were given business mentorship and industry-related skills. Sixty-five new businesses signed up for ORT Jet’s business mentorship programme with 740 people attending 69 training events.
The new ORT SA CareerHub was created to expose people, especially the youth to future career options, to let them explore their strengths, passion and paths as well as providing experience and skills transfer. The novel ORT SA Youth Club gives youth the opportunity to interact with peers across the ORT global network.
But numbers are not all that count. ORT SA strives to provide quality education to allow people to access a dignified and independent life. This could not have been achieved without your support. Our sincere thanks on behalf of all the children, youth and entrepreneurs who benefitted from your support. Our best wishes for the holiday season. We look forward to facing the challenges of next year, together.
Ariellah Rosenberg & the ORT SA Team
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