Registered non-profit Darkies in Tech has launched a new website aimed at providing a centralised platform for professionals of colour (POC) to connect, learn, and grow within the within the South African tech industry.
Founded in February 2021 by Ntsako Mgiba, Darkies in Tech is dedicated to creating a future where POC have equitable access to knowledge, networks, and funding within the South African tech ecosystem.
It has built a membership base of 450 POC founders, investors, and ecosystem builders, making it the largest vetted community of its kind in South Africa. As a community, it regularly hosts both online and in-person events focused on education, along with social gatherings for its members.
“I was frustrated by how exclusionary South Africa’s tech startup ecosystem felt, particularly for Black founders. Many of us faced similar challenges navigating the ecosystem – feeling left out of the trusted networks where knowledge, opportunities, and funding were shared. However, unlike other communities, we rarely shared the insights we had amongst ourselves; we were highly fragmented,” Mgiba told Disrupt Africa.
“I saw an opportunity to address this by bringing together the high-caliber Black founders I knew at the time into a WhatsApp group. There was nothing like it – a space for Black founders to speak openly about their challenges, share opportunities, and hold each other accountable.”
This turned into Darkies in Tech, to which Mgiba said the response has been “remarkable”. The sector-agnostic organisation has grown to 450 members, and is expanding rapidly. It has now launched a dedicated website, which Mgiba said marked a significant step forward in reducing barriers to entry for POC within the local tech ecosystem.
The new website will serve as a central hub where potential members can learn about the organisation and apply to join the community. The website’s main objective is to make it easier for POC to discover and connect with the community, thus supporting the broader mission of fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
“The launch of our website marks a pivotal moment in our journey to create an inclusive and thriving tech ecosystem for professionals of colour in South Africa. This platform not only provides easier access to our community but also strengthens our mission to empower POC founders, investors, and ecosystem builders. We’re excited to see the impact this will have in opening doors, creating opportunities, and fostering collaborations within the tech space,” Mgiba said.
As Darkies in Tech continues to grow, the organisation is preparing to launch member programmes in 2025, including benefits like software perks and exclusive dinners with investors. It is also exploring new partnerships to further enhance the support offered to its members.
“We plan to launch new programmes and actively participate in grassroots initiatives aimed at promoting tech entrepreneurship as a viable career path for young people of colour,” Mgiba said.
Self-funded so far, through various initiatives within the community, the organisation plans to obtain PBO status (Section 18A) by 2025, which will allow it to start receiving corporate sponsorships. Pan-African expansion is also planned.
“Currently, we only accept founders, investors, and ecosystem builders who are active within South Africa’s tech ecosystem. However, we plan to expand by launching chapters in other African countries, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, in the coming years,” Mgiba said.
