Matshepo Soto
policy development. His recent certification in intellectual property, technology transfer and commercialisation further strengthens his ability to translate research into real-world results. Lethula promotes science education by judging school expos and inspiring learners through community outreach. He credits mentors like Dr Lerato Hlekelele and Dr Vongani Chauke for shaping his academic and leadership approach. Qualifications Master of Science in Nanoscience, University of Johannesburg Achievements Obtained certification in Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, and Commercialisation, expanding expertise in innovation management, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, commercialisation strategies, and related legal and ethical frameworks. Became a member of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), engaging with a network of professionals in research and innovation management. Contributed to national research and innovation policy development through the DSTI–NRF Policymaking Programme, supporting strategic initiatives aligned with thematic priorities including Energy, ICT, Health, Water, Agriculture, and Climate Change. Developed strategic frameworks and implementation plans to strengthen institutional engagement in thematic research support. Managed funded and ongoing projects, including monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and ensuring alignment with national research goals. Gained expertise in stakeholder engagement by consulting with relevant parties during the development of funding instruments, testing frameworks, and securing buy-in for
“ ‘BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE”
Profile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matshepo-soto- 86692b209/ Matshepo Soto, 25, first dreamed of becoming an advocate. She immersed herself in public speaking and debate, competing at the provincial level in moot court competitions. But life’s circumstances redirected her path. Inspired by how machines respond, and fuelled by her uncle’s explanation of hardware and software, Matshepo was drawn into the world of IT. That led her to WeThinkCode, where she trained as a software engineer. Today, she works at Nedbank as a backend developer, building and maintaining payment systems that power secure transactions across the country. In 2024, Matshepo won seven coding competitions and received the Dynamism Youth in ICT and Rising Star in Coding awards. Her commitment to tech for social good is evident in projects like municipal chatbots, women’s safety apps and healthcare admin tools. A recognised voice in the industry, Matshepo has twice been named among the 100 Influential Women in Tech and was listed in Geekulcha’s Top 15 Young Geeks. Through initiatives like Thuma Mina Tech Foundation, which introduces technology to children with autism, and leading the Google Developer Group Pretoria, she champions inclusion in tech. Qualifications Retail Business Management, University of Johannesburg Achievements Won seven coding competitions in 2024, reinforcing a passion for building impactful tech solutions. Awarded the Dynamism Youth in ICT Award and the Rising Star in Coding Award in 2024 for excellence and innovation in technology. Named among the 100 Influential Women in Tech in both 2024 and 2025, recognising leadership and impact in the tech sector.
adoption. Mentors
I look up to my former PhD supervisors, Dr Lerato Hlekelele and Dr Vongani Chauke. They were incredibly supportive and encouraging during the most challenging parts of my journey. Their intelligence, work ethic and strong leadership truly inspired me and set a powerful example for guiding young scholars. They took the time to guide and encourage me, offering valuable advice on how to approach my work to achieve success. I will always be grateful for their efforts in my career.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 63
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