Data-driven: Ncumisa leads the way 

Ncumisa Hlapo, Senior Manager: Reporting at Medscheme, has been selected as a 2023 TechWomen Emerging Leader and will participate in a five-week mentorship and exchange programme in the US.

Launched in 2011, TechWomen is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is managed by the Institute of International Education. As a TechWomen Emerging Leader, Ncumisa joins peers from Africa, South and Central Asia and the Middle East who form a strong network of women committed to advancing their careers and pursuing their dreams while paving the way for those who follow.

The five-week mentorship takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, and concludes in Washington DC on 26 October. 

Through the programme, Ncumisa will be able to enhance her professional career as well as make an impact locally and across the globe. She hopes to inspire more women in technology through initiatives and mentorship programmes – something that she, as an advocate for developing young talent in data careers, is enthusiastic about. 

In July 2022, Ncumisa made it onto the Mail & Guardian Young 200 list, which celebrates young South Africans who demonstrate excellence in their industries. She hosts a podcast, Data Talk Podcast with Ncumisa, where she curates content about data analytics and related careers while speaking to experts in the field. The podcast aims to spark young people’s interest in data and analytics careers, offering mentorship, guidance and empowerment along the way.