MOREBLESSINGS SHOKO | Why South Africa needs more women shaping the future of maps

There is not a day of our lives that we do not interact withgeographic data. Most of us simply do not realise it. Yet every journey we make, every package delivered to our homes, every route we follow on our phones and every service we access depends on location.

Geography quietly shapes almost every aspect of modern life, making geospatial science one of the most influential yet least understood professions of our time. As South Africa embraces the digital economy,Women’s Monthoffers an opportunity to recognise not only the importance of this field but also why more women should be encouraged to help shape its future. A simple example is a place we call home, which has a specific location on the globe identified by an address.

Each time the courier or delivery person brings our package to that address, it is another reminder that we have been geographically located. Each day we get out and travel to various places of activity. If we are lucky enough to remember the route that gets us there correctly, it demonstrates our minds’ capacity to serve as machines of mental navigation and cartography.

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As South Africa becomes increasingly data-driven, the demand for geospatial professionals is rising rapidly Confusion or feeling lost can trigger a sense of vulnerability and lack of security. So without a clear mental map, the world would be nothing but one sprawling maze. With this in mind, we can quickly realise the importance of maps.

They document the past and present and help develop a sense of belonging, safety, and direction. From their invention in sixth-century Babylonia to the dawn of the digital age, maps were exclusively physical, covering large extents of land and requiring several pieces to complete the map puzzle of the entire globe. Theevolution of technologyhas rapidly advanced mapping applications, which are now available online at no direct charge, except in some cases for internet access.

We interact with maps on mobile devices and other gadgets that not only display locations but also form routes that prioritise convenience. Though maps, in isolation, cannot be considered complete geographic information systems, they play a significant role in decision-making amid the complexities of the real world.

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