In this era of rapid technological change, we are witnessing a digital revolution that is reshaping all sectors of our society, from how we do business, learn, work, to how we transact, connect with one another, and engage with both private and government sectors. Notably, the South African Government of National Unity (GNU) has pronounced its posture of embracing this digital future which must never leave anyone behind.

As part of this digital future, communities in underprivileged, rural, and underserved areas especially women and girls continue to face significant barriers in accessing digital tools, education, and opportunities, something that must not be encouraged.

According to the 2024 GSMA report, the mobile internet gender gap in South Africa remains a stubborn reality—women are still 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet. This is not just a technological disparity; it is a gap in opportunity, empowerment, and equality. In a country seeking to redress its past and build an inclusive digital society, such inequality should no longer be tolerated. This digital gender divide is not just a gap in access; it is a gap in opportunity, in empowerment, and in equality, which in the context of the GNU must not be encouraged as it seeks to among others promote equality. The fact that women are the most vulnerable group in our society, as opposed to men, because they carry more burden in the social, political, legal and cultural spheres must stop.

As the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) we are committed to breaking these barriers. We are striving for transformation through regulatory interventions in the information communication, broadcasting and postal sectors by paving ways to ensure that this divide of women and girls in the mainstreams of the ICT sector does not echo the deeper inequalities that are rooted in our past. As the Chairperson of ICASA, we are not going to allow the digital future to reproduce the exclusions of the past.  Notably, ICASA itself is walking the talk. Our Council is led predominantly by Black women, complemented by a Black woman CEO and a growing number of female professionals among our 345 staff members. This is not an act of charity; it is a deliberate and necessary investment in sustainable development.

I am equally convinced that empowering of women in the digital spaces must not be treated as charity, because it is the key to sustainable development. In my view, women bring unique perspectives, leadership, and resilience. Across South Africa, women are already leading in several ICT companies, fintech startups, coding, cybersecurity, precision agriculture, broadcasting, and digital health.

Organizations like the South African Women in ICT Forum, GirlCode, and Women in Tech are actively working to bridge the gender gap and encourage more women to enter and thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Such initiatives are showing us what is possible when we invest in gender-inclusive innovation.

As part of building a capable state and an inclusive society, we need to do more, and we need to do it faster. We must work towards integrating digital literacy and STEM subjects into the national curriculum from early childhood centres to colleges, inclusive to universities. At the same time, we must ensure that girls are encouraged and supported to pursue these paths.

Whilst we embrace digital transformation, data costs remain one of the barriers and as such, regulatory interventions through a collaborative working models with all licensees must be sought, to commit to reducing cost of conducting business and ensuring digital infrastructure reaches the most rural and marginalised communities, which is dominated by women and girls.

It is a fact that we need we need more women in boardrooms, in developmental laboratories, network designs, coding for artificial intelligent solutions, data miners, data analytics and most importantly in decision-making roles across all sectors. When women are part of creating technology, it becomes more inclusive and responsive to real-world needs.

Despite their different mandates, and also having realised and recognised the challenges and recognising the complexity of the digital landscape, ICASA has joined forces with the  Film and Publication Board (FPB), Information Regulator (IR) and Domain Name Authority (ZADNA)  took a proactive stance by established the Information, Communications Technologies and Media Regulators Forum of South Africa (ICTMR-SA), with an objective to strengthen cooperation, reduce overlapping efforts and create more efficient regulations to address the evolving ICT and media sectors.

This initiative is also aimed at advancing regulatory interventions required towards the protection of all from online harm, a safe space for women in the digital space. We have witnessed several online harassments, gender-based cyber violence, and digital exclusion particularly targeted to women and girls, which continues to be a real threat to participation. We need to review and develop agile policies, regulatory frameworks, and enforcement to protect human rights especially online.

Let us create a South Africa where a young girl in my village of Botlokwa can become a robotics engineer, where a mother in Mothibistad can build a thriving e-commerce business, where women across our country not only access technology but shape it. The digital revolution must be a revolution for all. Because when we close the gender gap in technology, we open the door to economic growth, social equity, and a future where no one is left behind.

The former President of South Africa, Papa Nelson Mandela once said, "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest."

Let us honour that vision by making digital transformation a tool for justice, for dignity, and for true equality.

Malibongwe!