#WomensMonth 2025: Everything engineering with a dose of healthcare, community safety and coding

CSIR software engineer Phelisa Ntyiya derives satisfaction in her role from combining her electrical and software skills, along with knowledge acquired from exposure in the healthcare sector

Phelisa Ntyiya’s journey in electrical engineering unfolded while she was completing an introductory course in computer engineering during her first year of studies. “I enjoyed this course and decided to select computer engineering as my major subject,” she says. Coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic at the time, the Minister of Education issued a call to universities seeking assistance in preventing the spread of infections by managing social distancing and overcrowding measures in public spaces. “I was a participant in the 250 selected cohort named ‘Mediventals’, and this is where I loved the idea of merging healthcare and engineering. I decided to pursue my studies in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town, where I am a current master’s degree candidate,” she says.

It was while presenting her master’s degree research proposal that Phelisa came to hear about the CSIR. “I contacted the CSIR’s Human Resources department and became aware that the organisation’s geospatial modelling and analysis research group had a vacancy available. I did some research on the role and decided it fits my aspirations. I applied and was appointed as a software engineer in 2024,” she says.

Technological tools to touch and transform lives

“In software engineering I’m quite far-removed from the health sciences space focus in my master’s degree I am working on, but it’s interesting how everything started aligning in unexpected ways because some of the projects I work on at the CSIR where software is applied in the healthcare space and with the purpose to improve wellbeing,” she says. An example is the human papillomavirus (HPV) project – an artificial intelligence (AI) powered diagnostic tool. “Here we have some of the embedded systems which include the water quality management system, an embedded tool and software-equipped device,” Phelisa adds.

“Not only am I enjoying working with the team, but also the projects I am involved in at the CSIR because in the multidisciplinary environment we get to develop technologies that are accessible and locally relevant in Cape Town, South Africa,” she adds. An example that comes to mind is the Blockwatch Neighbourhood, which tackles social issues leading to an increase in crime. “The technology can predict a crime-related incident before it occurs, thus alerting law enforcement authorities in advance to prepare and remain vigilant on issues affecting the community and avoid catastrophes,” she explains.

Making localised healthcare access and solutions possible

With the X-ray Image Processing System project Phelisa is managing, healthcare workers can interpret X-ray images and medical information quickly, making it possible to observe the impact of health issues at a local level, especially where there are a limited number of trained radiologists, coupled with constrained medical staff capacity, who must service many patients. “This innovative tool goes a long way in assisting resource-constrained communities, like those living in rural areas of the country,” she says.

Phelisa is inspired by observing how innovation can shift power back into communities that are empowered to access healthcare services. “The most exciting aspect of my job is witnessing how these locally developed technologies in the healthcare sector can transform healthcare access for rural inhabitants, especially women. Research on how HPV affects women is still limited, yet a significant portion of cervical cancer patients are,” Phelisa says.

“The challenges we face are resource constraints and policy hurdles. For example, regulations in the healthcare space are important, but navigating systems to receive the formal ethical clearance to pursue a health-related research study can feel demoralising at times,” Phelisa says.

Being a woman in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) comes with its unique paradise of problems. “I’m often not taken seriously when I inform people of the work I do, but when a young male does so, he is viewed in higher favour. The under-representation in gender is at play, but these types of challenges do fuel my commitment to break the barriers for others too, not just myself,” she adds.

Phelisa’s pro tips for current and future CSIRSHEroes:

• Take risks even when facing unknown territory.
• Do your research on a topic you are passionate about, and if you are confident in it, be bold in exploring it!
• Seek knowledge in environments and from those you can learn from.
• Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision because you will need support. “As women, we bring a unique insight into science and innovation that I think is critical for a more inclusive future. So, if we do not step back now, we are creating a very beautiful future for upcoming ladies and not having them fight for what we fought,” she says.
• “We downplay who we are as women, but we are a vital force not just for the CSIR but for South Africa. Your work, your voice and your presence matter a lot, and let’s continue to build bridges, break ceilings, open doors for ourselves and for others that are coming behind us. Let’s just keep rising and lifting each other as we go!” she says.
• The science, technology and innovation industry is expanding. “For my generation of women, our predecessors paved the way for us to be seen and heard in spaces not privy to women. We must make use of the opportunity and run with it,” she says.

Technological interventions that can improve and catalyse local action and provide solutions to address real-life challenges are what inspire CSIR software engineer Phelisa Ntyiya

Empowering young girls with tech and digital skills

Phelisa is deeply committed to digital tech literacy initiatives and the fourth industrial revolution. She continues to enhance her technical skills in software and web development during her spare time every Saturday, volunteering to teach computer skills to learners from disadvantaged schools. “As an alumnus with Girlcode Academy, I am passionate about giving back to others who find themselves in the same position as I once was,” she says. Girlcode Academy funded Phelisa’s undergraduate studies with a scholarship. “I benefited from the organisation in the form of opportunities such as travelling overseas and now I teach classes to grade 4 learners.”

In her spare time, Phelisa also participates in national hackathon competitions where she develops innovative solutions, often involving software, hardware or creative projects. “It fosters rapid innovation, encourages teamwork, and provides opportunities for learning and networking,” she says. “When the girls see someone like me who resembles them, it makes them more excited to participate and feel a sense of being seen and belonging with the knowing that it’s possible to be involved in this initiative.”

From electrical engineering to biomedical engineering, CSIR software engineer Phelisa Ntyiya completed her undergraduate studies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, her Honours degree at the University of Cape Town, where she is currently completing her master’s degree