by Kgothatso Monono
Three exceptional students from the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT), Department of Computer Science, have been recognised for their remarkable achievements, earning nominations for the prestigious 2025 Wired4Women Awards under the category: ‘Top Tech Student’ among other categories. The awards celebrate outstanding women in technology, recognising their contributions, leadership and impact in the industry.
Among the nominees are Kgaugelo Mphelo, Modukoana Elizabeth Gamlashe, Olerato Monye and other talented finalists who have demonstrated excellence in both academia and leadership. The prestigious awards, presented by the Wired4Women Tech Forum in partnership with ITWeb Brainstorm and Telkom, recognise exceptional young women in tech who are at the beginning of their careers but have already shown remarkable promise and potential to shape the future of technology.
A second-year Computer Science student, Kgaugelo Mphelo, is passionate about leveraging technology for social impact. Her journey into tech leadership began in 2018 when she was selected for the J.P. Morgan and GIBS Green Entrepreneurship Programme. Her startup, focused on providing sustainable solar energy solutions for low-income communities in Zimbabwe, showcased her ability to merge technology with real-world problem-solving.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Kgaugelo is an influential student leader, currently serving as a class representative for Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and Algorithm and Data Structures (ADS). Her leadership and professional achievements are advancing her knowledge in artificial intelligence through the ALX AI programme. She holds multiple industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Technology Associate: Python & Project Management, and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Awareness. As a single mother, she exemplifies resilience and determination, balancing her academic, professional, and leadership responsibilities with grace and ambition.
Kgaugelo Mphelo
Final-year Computer Science student, Modukoana Elizabeth Gamlashe has made a name for herself as an exceptional scholar, earning 12 distinctions out of 18 modules with an overall academic average of 79%. Her excellence has earned her recognition as a top-performing student in her class, solidifying her reputation as a future leader in the tech industry.
Modukoana Gamlashe
Modukoana’s interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, software engineering and database management. She is actively pursuing the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification while gaining hands-on experience through the DevSecOps learning path on TryHackMe. Her engagement in hackathons has also been noteworthy, winning the Best Concept Award at the Coca-Cola GenZ Creative Hackathon.
Outside of her technical pursuits, Modukoana is a dedicated mentor and tutor, helping fellow students succeed academically. She is an active member of Geekulcha, an award-winning movement that creates and enables platforms for innovation and creativity and Arifarane, a student-led initiative supporting food-insecure students. Her work includes developing secure applications with a focus on defensive programming and MVC architecture.
Beyond the tech world, she is a competitive athlete in aerobics, having represented TUT at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Aerobics Championships. She is also an advocate for women in technology, striving to create more inclusive spaces and mentorship opportunities for aspiring female tech professionals.
The third nominee, Olerato Monye, also a final-year Computer Science student, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and mentorship throughout her academic journey. As chairperson of the mentorship committee, she has guided and supported students, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration. Her role as secretary of the Geekulcha School Society has contributed to building a thriving tech community at TUT.
Her balance of academic excellence and extracurricular engagement underscores her commitment to innovation and the advancement of women in technology. With a strong focus on continuous learning, she is determined to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry.
After the finalists were announced in February, a rigorous selection process will occur to determine the winners. The winners will be revealed on 3 April 2025, at the Wired4Women Awards Banquet held at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
The nomination of these three remarkable students for the 2025 Wired4Women Awards is a testament to the excellence cultivated at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology. Their achievements highlight the power of dedication, innovation and leadership in shaping the future of women in technology. As they continue to break barriers and inspire others, their stories serve as an inspiration to aspiring technologists across South Africa and beyond.
Olerato Monye