From the dusty streets of South Africa’s townships to the world! This is the dream of four driven young women who have been selected to represent Africa at Devcon 7, one of the world’s premier blockchain conferences, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
South Africa (07 November 2024) – Four extraordinary young women from the heart of South Africa are set to make waves on the global tech stage.
Maite Lemekoana, Lindokuhle Mlilo, Sandile M’remi, and Genevieve Shabangu, hailing from the townships of Phalaborwa, Tembisa, and Soweto, have been selected to represent WeThinkCode_ and Africa’s Blockchain Club at Devcon 7, one of the world’s premier blockchain conferences.
Having fully immersed themselves in coding, these brilliant minds are passionate about addressing the continent’s skills gap and youth unemployment crisis through accessible software development training.
Together they have developed an innovative coding project called OffConnectX, co-founded by Maite and Sandile, which harnesses the Lisk blockchain to enable offline transactions, addressing the challenge of unreliable internet connectivity in rural African areas.
This impressive solution supports communities by ensuring safe, reliable financial transactions and fostering economic growth even in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
Support needed to make a dream come true
The opportunity to attend the global event is more than just an opportunity to attend a conference; it’s a chance to inspire a generation and shape the future of Africa’s tech landscape.
“Attending Devcon 7 goes beyond gaining technical knowledge. We will assist in the event’s execution and engage directly with global leaders and industry pioneers.
“This experience will allow us to bring back insights, strategies, and collaborations that could drive initiatives in our communities and inspire others to explore blockchain’s potential for solving pressing issues, from unreliable connectivity to barriers in financial access,” the ladies said.
The group is scheduled to leave for Bangkok on 8 November for an eleven-night stay. While funds are tight, they are hopeful to raise the R200,000 they’ll need for travel, accommodation and conference fees, to at least travel there on Monday, 11 November.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to representing Africa on a global stage—where we’ll gain insights, foster connections, and, most importantly, bring home knowledge to spark innovation and inclusion in Africa’s tech landscape,” the trailblazers appealed.
To make a donation to help make this dream come true visit the crowdfunding BackaBuddy page at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/devcon7-in-thailand
Sources: Supplied
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