Growing up in Nkowankowa Township, a few kilometres outside Tzaneen (Limpopo), SMU postgraduate student, Khanyisa Faith Mokgolobotho dreamt of achieving remarkable things and making a mark in the world of technology and leadership. Driven by the pursuit of better opportunities, her family moved to Soweto and later to Lenasia (Gauteng). She started schooling at Odin Park Primary School in Ennerdale (a predominately Coloured community) and then graduated and enrolled at Azara Secondary School (an Indian community). She credits these diverse communities for shaping her into who she is today: a Student Leader, Entrepreneur and Software Development Engineer.
SMU postgraduate student, Khanyisa Faith Mokgolobotho
“My community was plagued by taxi violence and gang fights, which meant I didn’t have many friends outside of school for safety reasons. This environment fuelled my determination to use education as my ticket out of this crime-ridden environment. From a young age, I was outspoken and confident, inspired by figures like former State President Jacob Zuma and Economic Freedom Fighter Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema. Their presence in politics and leadership fascinated me, and I knew from then that one day, I wanted to be a leader too,” says Khanyisa.
Leadership roles have always been a significant part of her life, and she set a goal of becoming a student leader when she registered to study for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematical Science at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in 2020. “My leadership journey started as a Sports Officer of Residence 1B’s House Committee in 2022, ultimately became a House Committee Chairperson in 2023, and eventually took on the role of Interim Student Governance Structure (ISGS) as the Residence Officer for the 2023/2024 term of office. These roles allowed me to make a tangible difference on campus and gave me the platform to advocate for my peers,” she shares.
In December 2022, she had an incredible opportunity to participate in the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) Student Datathon Challenge under the theme, ‘using social media data to find innovative solutions.’ The DIRISA student Datathon is a competition showcasing how open research data can be used to develop creative and innovative solutions to some of South Africa’s problems. Its objectives include allowing students to learn about the benefits of open data(it gives undergraduate students an opportunity and exposes them to the world of data science), showcasing innovative solutions using open data and data science techniques, finding new solutions to problems, and advocating for the use of open data. “I was among the first cohort of students to represent SMU, competing with students from different universities nationwide. My performance earned me the Best Female Student Participant award and a R100 000 annual bursary that funded the remainder of my undergraduate degree and my Honours in Computer Science and Information Science studies. This achievement did not just benefit me personally; it also opened doors for my fellow SMU Computer Science students. The Datathon has since become an annual event at SMU, encouraging more students to participate and develop their skills,” she emphasises.
She said that before switching to a BSc in mathematical science studies, she initially had ambitions of becoming a civil engineer, which led her to apply for a BSc in physical science. However, she made a switch after researching and reflecting on her goals. This path aligned more with her engineering aspirations, and she is proud to say that today, she is a Software Development Engineer, fulfilling her dream of becoming an engineer. The shift from civil engineering to software development was a journey of discovery and research, and she could not be happier with the outcome.
In July 2023, she took another leap of faith by joining the IM IN Ideation Programme for Women. Out of hundreds of applicants, she was proud to be among the top 150 selected to participate. She later graduated in April 2024 with the top 30 cohort as a female entrepreneur with a fully registered business. This programme, sponsored by JP Morgan, Telkom, and the Embassy of Ireland, was instrumental in helping her and co-founder Rosemary Erawemen of Techmed Connect Cloud Computing Machine Learning startup to the next level. They made it to the top 15 young female startups, a milestone she holds dearly.
She says: “I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the “IM IN Ideation Program. It has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations in the tech industry with determination. I look forward to witnessing the continued impact of the ‘IM IN Ideation Program’ on future participants”.
Currently, she is employed as a Software Development Engineer at PyCentric PTY LTD, which she considers one of her most significant achievements. “My journey has been one of perseverance, leadership, and unwavering ambition. I am proud to say that I am a young black woman, an Entrepreneur, a Student Leader, and a Software Development Engineer. My name, Khanyisa Faith Mokgolobotho, is a testament to the light, faith, and determination that have guided me through every step of my journey,” she concludes.
