AFRICA changes to absorb this new talent into the technology landscape .” Creating an inclusive environment could also help . Having studied in apartheid times in South Africa , as well as being a woman in the technology field , Saki is all too aware of the hurdles facing workers trying to make their mark on the technology sector . “ From the very beginning it was really hard to be taken seriously as a woman ,” she reflects . “ Even if you said something that had value , you had to say it a number of times , justify it a million times more , and sometimes even demonstrate it for you to be taken seriously . “ I think what helped me was that if I feel an issue is important , I ’ ll create a prototype of the suggestion which allowed me to demonstrate my ideas clearly .” On top of this , there ’ s also the issue of work culture . In the corporate world , where competing egos are commonplace , Saki is keen to point out the importance of remaining humble , particularly when you ’ re in a leadership position . In doing so , she says CIOs can create an approachable and inclusive IT environment that works with , not in tangent , to the wider business operation . “ I try to keep myself humble and approachable ,” she says . “ It ’ s important to be able to explain technology in a way that makes sense to businesses so that they can really comprehend how IT can benefit the organisation .”
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