IT experts in the making while a dream comes true
Visualise the outcome, plan how to get there and forge ahead. This is the approach Thabo Mogaswa decided to follow in pursuing his dream of becoming the owner of a software company that offers innovative solutions to everyday problems.
IT experts in the making at Kgatelopele. Seen here ltr are Thabo Mogaswa,
Nhlanhla Tshabalala, Itumeleng Mogaswa, Joshua Mashiane,
Linah Skosana, Ezekiel Motlana, Victor Magagula and Tshepo Ncubuka.
Currently one of the clients in the pre-incubation programme of The Innovation Hub, this enthusiastic qualified electronic engineer, decided to begin at the beginning - and put his money where his mouth is. He is developing the expertise that is required to realise his vision and using his savings to finance it.
"I am passionate about software development and the answers it can provide. Owning a software development company is truly a life ideal. However, employing experienced human resources in information technology (IT) is very expensive. My solution to this problem was to employ youths and assist them in becoming IT experts. I established my company, Kgatelopele, and recruited seven grade twelve learners from Mamelodi, where I live. Kgatelopele is a Sotho word for 'forging ahead', or 'making progress'," he says.
His proposal to the future software developers was simple. For a nominal remuneration he was prepared to employ and assist them while they first complete an access programme through Unisa (a bridging course offered for students wishing to enroll for a degree in computer science without the required matric results), and then complete the four-year BSc programme in Computer Science. During their years of study, he would act as mentor and start developing their IT skills. For every two years they spend with him, they are obliged to work at Kgatelopele for one year.
Under his guidance the students are performing well. Some of them boasted distinctions at the end of the access year, and currently all of them are enrolled at Unisa as first year students in Computer Science.
Thabo Mogaswa and Linah Skosana at Kgatelopele
during one of their mentorship sessions.
"The students come to work every week day, where each one works on real project, such as developing a database of schools in the country. This stimulates them and builds up their software development capabilities. In fact, with one of our software solutions, we have just clinched our first contract.
"Like everybody else at The Innovation Hub, we use the Hub's catering facilities. Joshua Mashiane, one of the Kgatelopele students came up with the bright idea of developing software that would enable everyone to place catering orders electronically. He is developing the programme now, and the Hub is interested in buying it from us," he says.
Thabo became a client of The Innovation Hub after he had "heard" about the initiative and approached the company with a presentation. "We do not get financial assistance, but The Innovation Hub seemed like a natural home for our enterprise. Being part and parcel of a high-tech environment and in close contact with other entrepreneurs is inspiring and conducive to what we are aspiring to," he concludes.
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