Women in IT

About Women in IT

Women in IT, often shortened to WIIT, is a South African non-profit organisation started in 2005. It exists to narrow the gender gap in information technology. Today it works as the women's chapter of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa, or IITPSA, the country's main professional body for IT practitioners. Its corporate office is at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

The gap WIIT set out to close is still wide. Women make up only about 13% of STEM graduates in South Africa, against a global figure of roughly 35%. They also hold fewer than 40% of jobs in the local ICT sector. As a result, the organisation backs women at every stage, from study to senior leadership.

How the WIIT bursary supports students

The bursary programme gives financial help to women who study information and communication technology. Support is paired with a mentorship programme and networking with tertiary institutions, working professionals and corporate partners. The idea is simple. Money helps a student finish, while mentors help her stay in the field and find her feet at work. The programme is not tied to one employer. WIIT is a membership and advocacy body, not a company hiring graduates, so it does not attach a work-back obligation to its bursaries. Mentors and partners can still connect recipients with opportunities across the wider IT sector.

What to know before applying

The programme's website sets out the main requirements. Applicants must be women with South African citizenship or permanent residency. They must have formal acceptance into an accredited ICT degree, diploma or certificate at a recognised South African institution. They must also show financial need and meet a minimum academic average. Students who already receive another bursary for the same costs in the same period do not qualify.

Prepare your documents before you start the online form, because it cannot be saved and resumed. You will need a certified copy of your ID from the last three months, proof of acceptance or enrolment, an official academic transcript, a motivation letter of one page, and proof of financial need such as a household income declaration or an NSFAS rejection.

The programme's 2026 dates were still to be confirmed on its website at the time of research, so opening and closing dates vary by year. Visit womeninit.org.za and open the bursary programme page for the latest timeline. You can also phone the IITPSA office on 011 315 1319. Apply early, and submit a motivation that is clear, honest and specific about your goals in technology. If you are unsure whether your course counts as an ICT qualification, ask the office before you apply. Also remember that you cannot hold a second bursary for the same costs, so tell WIIT about any other funding you receive.