Mums in Tech ft. Margaret Sitawa

As part of the ‘Mums in Tech’ series, MotherBorard caught up with Margaret Sitawa, Co-founder and WordPress Developer of Njinway.

The purpose of our ‘MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech & data, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech & data teams for women.

Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?

I am a joyful mum of 3 passionate about creating experiences that make use of the available resources to deliver the best desired results. My name is Sitawa and I move businesses in Africa into the digital world maximizing their return on investment.

If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?

Being a working mum in tech is having your office in your home and your home in your office.

How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?

My balance is treating my time as the best resource knowing it will end. So in whatever I am doing whether mothering or pursuing my career, I give it my very best and stay present in the moment.

What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?

My greatest challenge has been working to manage my time effectively between both and having adequate abundant resources financially, physically, mentally and socially to do both.

What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?

Time Management – Juggling both has pushed me in a position of mastering my time management skills each day.
Team Management – Learning my kids, their mannerisms, strengths and challenges has transitioned into effective team management skills. I am able to see and know my team well, listen, divide, delegate and lead by example.

Communication – I have learnt how to communicate in the best way that relays my intended information in the most understandable manner. Consequently I am able to extract the required information from the recipient in the least assumptive manner.

When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?

One thing that is helping me is actively scheduling a part of my day to be alone and do my personal activities. It refreshes me, makes me feel good and uplifts my mood greatly.

What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?

To grade their performance and payment by their work output and results and not by the time they put in or how often they show up.

Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?

Motherhood is a superpower. It elevates you, it’s not a crutch. Live in it fully.

MotherBoard is a Business Charter, Community & Event Series, driving tangible change for mums working in the tech industry.

Interested in getting involved? Become a signatory today

MotherBoard is powered by ADLIB Recruitment