Sebo Tladi, a proud native of Soshanguve, Pretoria, has risen to impressive heights in academia after matriculating from Reitumetse High School. Currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Jurisprudence at the University of Limpopo's School of Law, she joined the institution in August 2022 following a flourishing academic career that began as a senior lecturer at UNISA. Armed with an array of law degrees—BIuris (Vista), LLB, LLM (UP), and LLD (UNISA)—Sebo has become a thought leader in Cyberlaw and Information Technology law. Her expertise spans a variety of critical areas, with published work in consumer protection, e-commerce, taxation, and corporate law. Her latest contribution, Women and Cyber Rights in Africa is set to be released by Juta in 2024, further cementing her impact on the legal world. 

Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, a distinguished Professor of Law and Technology at Leeds Beckett University in the UK, is not only shaping minds but also shaping global cyber policy. As Vice-Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Experts Group (AUCSEG), Nnenna’s influence reaches across continents. She earned her PhD from the University of Johannesburg and has since taught law in multiple jurisdictions. Her teaching and research are centred on the cutting edge of technology and law, with a focus on the governance of digital technologies, human rights, and the rule of law in cyberspace. She also chairs the Cybercrime Working Group of the Global Forum for Cyber Expertise (GFCE) and serves as an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. From 2022 to 2024, Nnenna held the prestigious position of Technology and Human Rights Fellow at Harvard’s Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy, continuing her groundbreaking work at the intersection of technology and justice.

Juta: Tell us about yourself, what you do and how you got there?

ST: My name is Sebo Tladi. I was born and grew up in Soshanguve, one of the townships in Pretoria. I Matriculated at Reitumetse High School. I am currently an Associate Professor in the department of Jurisprudence, School of law, University of Limpopo (UL). I joined UL in August 2022. Prior to that, I was a senior lecturer at UNISA where I started my academic career. In addition to teaching, I also conduct research. My research area is in the field of Cyberlaw, or Information Technology law (IT). I have published articles and book chapter(s) in the following sub-disciplines: consumer protection; electronic commerce; taxation; corporate law and the 2024 book publication by Juta titled Women and Cyber Rights in Africa. I hold the following degrees in law: BIuris (Vista); LLB; LLM (UP); and LLD (UNISA). In a nutshell, what is noted above has led to what I am doing today. 

NI-A: I am a Professor of Law and Technology at Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom. I also serve as the Vice-Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Experts Group (AUCSEG). My career journey has been quite an interesting one. I have taught law in diverse jurisdictions. I studied for my Phd at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. My teaching and academic interests relate primarily to the intersection of law and technology, especially, the governance of digital technologies, human rights and technology, and the rule of law in cyberspace. I Chair the Cybercrime Working Group of the Global Forum for Cyber Expertise (GFCE) and I am an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, United Kingdom. I was also a Technology and Human Rights Fellow at the Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy, Harvard University from 2022 to 2024 

Juta: What are some of the challenges you faced being a woman in the industry?

ST: The challenges faced included juggling family, studies and work. I joined academia at 27 in 2001. Being a young wife and mother meant I had to find balance in the different roles I held. I chose to discontinue my studies so I could focus on my family and work: hence my Doctorate was completed later in life in 2017. At work challenges include juggling the different portfolios namely, teaching, research, academic citizenship, and community engagement. As a young academic the main challenge was learning how to conduct research. I was fortunate to have had a mentor(s) who took me by the hand and showed me the way. 

NI-A: There is so much to say, especially the patronising by men who relate to your success as trivial and being easily handed down to you on the theories of a ‘conscious creation of gender-based opportunities’. The areas I work in are quite male-dominated, yet women are working immensely hard. I hear statements like ‘we are trying to give women opportunities’, when in reality, women are striving and working as equally hard as male counterparts in the industry. Nothing is handed down to women easily in the industry. Besides career, African women are keeping homes and families together. Such ideologies have meant that sometimes, a male colleague is expected to give ‘unspoken’ validation to our efforts. There is so much to say, especially the patronising by men who relate to your success as trivial and being easily handed-down to you on the theories of a ‘conscious creation of gender-based opportunities’. The areas I work in is quite male dominated, yet women are working immensely hard. I hear statements like ‘we are trying to give women opportunities’, when in reality, women are striving and working as equally hard as male counterparts in the industry. Nothing is handed down to women easily in the industry. Besides career, African women are keeping homes and families together. Such ideologies have meant that sometimes, a male colleague is expected to give ‘unspoken’ validation to our efforts. 

Juta: What inspired you to keep pushing despite the challenges faced?

ST: Keeping to what I had set out to do early in life kept me pushing. In my early teens I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. In my early twenties the goal was to obtain a Doctorate. Both were accomplished except I am now in academia. Finding like- minded individuals in the workplace has made the journey pleasant. However, keep those relationships professional, and avoid cliques. Seeking out mentors is important in navigating the terrain. I was assigned a mentor and that worked out well for me as noted above. A senior colleague once said “research is a lonesome exercise” and one can get discouraged in that process. Hence it is important to find collaborators which will lessen the load as individuals would bring different sub-disciplines in resolving an issue. That I learned later in life. Family offers strength and wisdom on how to navigate certain spaces and that has encouraged me to move forward in difficult times. My uncle told me “to not despair no matter what happens”.  

NI-A: My greatest inspiration has always been enhancing the voice of African women. Telling a story that interprets African women as inspiring, hardworking and determined. The desire to portray success as not gender-determined has also kept me pushing. I was inspired to work on a book together with Professor Sebo Tladi- titled ‘Gender and Cyber Rights in Africa’. The book was published this year by Juta Press. The book challenges the reality of African women’s rights in cyberspace. Existing gender inequalities have been exacerbated by the advent of emergent technologies that further disrupt cultural stereotypes and societal norms, especially in places like Africa with deep gender and patriarchal preconceptions.  While some strides have been made in addressing cyber rights, challenges related to cyber gender-divide particularly persists. I hope that the research in the book will make a difference in promoting justice for African women, and importantly, influence policy that will strategically be aimed at alleviating the challenges that African women face in such spaces. 

Juta: Do you have any encouraging words for the young women in the industry?

ST: Academia has various projects to assist in developing employees. Take part in those projects whether it is funding for conference attendance, scholarships, collaborating with women in a research project on a certain issue. Once you’ve identified a niche area carve a plan of action and activate it piece meal. You will be pressurised to do the next project or study further etc.: First evaluate if you have the capacity to do that at that time: move forward only when you’re at peace that the task can be completed. Regardless of the roles you take in life, do not forget yourself in the process: you are unique and have your dreams to accomplish. Learn to love yourself and remain true to self regardless of what’s happening around you. In the words of my Mother “when you fall, have the sense to stand up, dust yourself off and move on”. Wishing you best in whatever you chose to do. 

NI-A: African wAfrican women have continued to show themselves as determined, tenacious and change-driven in the industry. There are so many great women in the law and justice profession who take pride in being change-focused, for example, it is exciting to see this current generation of women forging into the terrains of law and technology – a space traditionally conceived as male dominated. Women should prioritise advancing the cause of women in the sector. We must intentionally work together to enhance policy development which should be designed on gender-sensitive approaches. Women must also consciously seek for spaces to thrive, and that includes a deliberate desire to pursue professional development and the enhancement of personal skills.

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