In June this year, 10 students from around the country were awarded bursaries for a
comprehensive six-month full-stack web developer bootcamp courtesy of HyperionDev,
Southern Africa’s largest tech education provider, and computer hardware company ASUS.
The initiaive was the second such giveaway as part of reigning Miss South Africa Natasha
Joubert’s educational advocacy campaign.
According to Joubert, IT and technology remain the top employment sectors for earning
potential in South Africa where there are currently around 44 000 unfilled, entry-level digital
vacancies, with the demand for skilled professionals far outstripping supply and the severe
skills shortage exacerbated by deep socioeconomic disparities.
Riaz Moola, CEO and founder of HyperionDev, agreed and said: “Tech skills development is
imperative for fostering sustainable economic growth and empowering the youth with the
necessary tools to thrive. Collaborative initiatives like these are examples of how we are
getting one step closer to narrowing the digital skills gap in South Africa.”
So how are the students coping with the full-stack web developer boot camp? We spoke to
five of the recipients to find out how they were getting on and here’s what they had to say:
Bongane Zwane: “My experience studying web development has been very fulfilling.
Initially, everything seemed difficult and impossible to overcome, but once I started utilising
study tools such as YouTube videos, engaging more with mentors and dedicating more time
to learning, things began to flow. Where it gets a bit challenging is when you have to solve
a specific problem using the coding methods you've been taught. This is where it becomes
tricky because you realise that it's not just about learning the coding languages, but also
about adopting a new way of thinking. It's about transforming a problem into something
that can be solved by writing computer code.”
Johane Neethling: “So far, I'm finding it to be incredibly rewarding. I genuinely enjoy the
challenge that comes with each new task, and there's a real sense of fulfilment every time I
successfully solve a problem. The difficulty level keeps things engaging and motivates me to
push my boundaries. Each accomplishment fuels my excitement about the future and the
potential it holds. Overall, this experience is both stimulating and inspiring, and I’m eager to
see where it takes me.”
Nnanana Madisha: “My experience at HyperionDev has been incredible thus far. The
onboarding session was thorough, helping us set up and navigate the student portal
efficiently. The support team has been exceptionally helpful and the lessons are well-
structured and straightforward. Additionally, mentors are always available to assist
whenever needed.”
Rolivhuwa Funyufunyu: “So far it is going well, a bit challenging but it is just amazing to
see how much I am growing each day. I am really enjoying it.”
Zethu Mokoena: “The opportunity to participate in the course is a wonderful opportunity
for me. My participation in this programme is improving my technical abilities and providing
me with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in the ever-evolving field of
technology.”
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with Sun International.
S3 is the official broadcast partner.