MINISTER of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya has been awarded the prestigious Visionary Leadership in Transforming ICT and STEM Education Award by Space Kidz India.
The accolade was conferred during the Young Scientist India (YSI) Grand Finale, held virtually on August 22–23 in Chennai.
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The award recognised Minister Maziya’s exceptional contributions to advancing ICT, championing the inclusion of women and youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as creating tangible pathways for girls in Eswatini to participate in the global space science ecosystem. Beyond national acclaim, the honour is also expected to deepen bilateral cooperation between Eswatini and India, creating new opportunities in STEM education, ICT innovation and space science.
As part of its collaboration with Space Kidz India, Eswatini has trained and engaged 108 young women through the organisation’s Shakisat and Mission Chakat initiatives. These programmes empower girls to design and launch small satellites, providing hands-on experience in space science and technology. This aligns closely with the ministry of ICT’s broader agenda to bridge gender disparities in STEM and foster a culture of innovation among the country’s youth.
In her acceptance remarks, Minister Maziya stated that Eswatini regarded STEM training and this initiative in particular, as a vehicle for democratising access to space and satellite technology. She said the partnership with Space Kidz India had enabled young women from across the nation to actively participate in a sector often perceived as inaccessible.
The award, she added, belonged not to her alone, but to every Liswati girl who dares to dream beyond the sky. She went on to highlight the ministry’s ongoing commitment to expanding the programme, noting that 108 young women had already been recruited and trained, with further outreach planned.
According to the minister, girls from both rural and urban communities deserved the opportunity to be part of what she described as “the next frontier,” asserting that space would play a critical role in the nation’s future and that no girl should be left behind.
Minister Maziya also spoke of the enthusiasm the initiative had sparked among Eswatini’s young women. Their involvement, she said, had opened up a new world of possibility, helping them see not just a potential future in STEM, but an active present in which they could lead in areas such as satellite design and space exploration.
The Ministry of ICT has extended its congratulations to the minister on the international recognition, framing it as a moment of national pride. The award, the ministry said, underscored Eswatini’s commitment to fostering innovation, promoting gender inclusivity and investing in the next generation of scientists and technology leaders.
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