“Big data,” says Accolade Ubisi during a meeting at the Hazyview Digital Learning Campus. “We need to implement better data capturing processes and share the results visually. Infographics and video.”
Accolade is a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Limpopo, where she studied Media and Communication Studies. She is part of a new generation of young South African women at the forefront of the tech revolution.
Accolade Ubisi is one of the few young women from Mpumalanga who is contributing towards building a digital economy in a rural area. With 850,000 youths in our catchment area, we have to create new opportunities for young people to engage with a changing world. Accolade is living that vision.
“As a member of the ‘digital village’ my career choices have expanded beyond the traditional ‘nurse, social worker, municipality worker,’” remarks Accolade. “Yes, the view from my office is of the African bushveld rather than a cityscape, but via email, Skype and social media, I share ideas with partners from all over the world. And those ideas are powering an education model that is reaching more young, rural people.”
This week Accolade has led two digital-storytelling classes for rural students. She has hosted the global CEO of Chanel at one of Good Work Foundation’s rural campuses. She has been part of a strategic vision meeting to launch a new digital agency operating out of Mpumalanga province and she is coordinating activities for the media launch of South Africa’s open learning movement.
Expanding and extending the branches of the Digital Tree of Knowledge: The Good Work Foundation’s “campus of the future” in Hazyview has a staff contingent made up of 75 percent women. The IT students are made up of 80 percent women and in 2014, the campus won the PriceWaterHouseCoopers Gender Mainstreaming Award.
Accolade (far left) with her class of media students. The class, “An Introduction to New Media” includes modules in online writing, blogging, photography and social media.
But here’s what we love. In-between all the “big data”, Accolade has done something truly inspirational: she has installed a built-in mahogany-wood kitchen unit for her mother, who lives in the village of Lillydale, just outside the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
“I just wanted to do something nice for my mother. My friends suggested I make a down payment on a car, but my parents have had a temporary kitchen for way too long. They got me to where I am today.”
During a month in South Africa of celebrating our women, this is one of the “big data” women who will change the future.
Note: Accolade is the daughter of Phanuel Ubisi (Tree Camp Butler) and Sindile Madhlophe (Pioneer Camp Housekeeper), both of whom have worked at Londolozi for over 20 years. As a child, Accolade spent her holidays in the Londolozi village and was mentored by Chris and Debbie Kane-Berman, and is one of Gogo Mo’s many “grandchildren”. She is now a Media Intern and Blogger at Londolozi’s non-profit partner, Good Work Foundation.
Accolade with her colleague, Mercyful Mathebula, who is the Coordinator of the Hazyview Campus “bridging year” for South Africa’s rural school leavers. Mercyful is also a Media and Communications graduate.
Written by Londolozi blog contributor Ryan James
Accolade is amazing! She must be inspiring girls and young women all over Mpumalanga!
Thanks Mary – she really is an inspiration. We have a phrase that we use – #ruralrockstar. It’s a bit of fun, but it’s also celebration of the young people who are pushing boundaries and committed to developing the potential of rural spaces, in particular the ability for rural to connect with 21st century economies. Accolade is one of our #ruralrockstars!
Thank you very much for your comment Mary, I hope that more women in digital careers will come out of Mpumalanga soon.
Very inspiring read. I am looking forward to meeting some of the ladies and gents next week. See you soon.
The Media Academy is looking forward to having you Kate!
Go Accolode! Looking forward to seeing more of her work, writing and media skils.
Thank you Rich, looking forward to seeing you next week!
Nice blog Ryan! It’s great to see the Londolozi children grow up, go off to University and then come full circle, back to share their experiences and knowledge with the next generation. Congratulations Accolade on all your accomplishments and becoming a Media Intern and Blogger at the GWF!
Thank you Jill. It has been an interesting journey and I love it here at GWF…”wonder filled” space