Fifty Grade 9 to 11 girls from rural schools across the Limpopo Province were empowered to dream beyond their circumstances during the 2026 Dream Women in STEM Technovation Summit, hosted at the Tom Naudé Technical High School from 3 to 5 July 2026.
The Summit was presented through a partnership between Dream Big Stay Humble, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). The initiative sought to inspire girls from deep rural communities to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by providing career guidance, mentorship, and exposure to opportunities in these critical fields.
The expansion of the programme to Limpopo reflects the organisers’ commitment to ensuring that girls in rural and under-resourced communities have the same opportunities to explore STEM careers as learners in urban centres. Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Ms Takalani Netshipale noted that many participants continue to face significant barriers to accessing career guidance, mentorship, and industry exposure, making initiatives such as the Summit critical in broadening their aspirations and future opportunities.
Throughout the three-day programme, learners participated in interactive workshops, innovation and technology activities, leadership development sessions and motivational talks presented by female engineers, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and DBE Mathematics, Science and Technology curriculum specialists. The programme encouraged learners to recognise their potential and develop the confidence to pursue Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Technology subjects throughout their schooling.
Addressing the learners, Ms Desiree Letshwiti, DBE’s Chief Education Specialist for Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology Specialisation Subjects, emphasised that increasing girls' participation in STEM is essential for developing a skilled, innovative, and inclusive workforce capable of supporting South Africa's economic growth and technological advancement. She encouraged Grade 9 learners to work diligently to make informed subject choices as they transition to the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase. She explained that the correct subject combinations provide the foundation for accessing STEM qualifications and future career opportunities.
Ms Letshwiti also reminded Grade 11 learners of the importance of achieving strong academic results, as these are often considered by higher education institutions during provisional admissions. She further encouraged learners to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities, highlighting that leadership, community service and innovation projects contribute to their overall development and strengthen applications for bursaries and university admission. In closing, she emphasised that learners have multiple post-school pathways available to them, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, accredited skills training centres, Universities of Technology and traditional universities. She encouraged learners to pursue the pathway best suited to their talents, interests, and career aspirations.
The Summit reinforced the objectives of the Department's Three Stream Model by promoting Academic, Vocational and Occupational pathways whilst advancing the “National Development Plan 2030” and “Sustainable Development Goal 4”. Through partnerships such as these, the DBE continues to empower young women with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities needed to become the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology leaders.