It’s that time of the year, when people can’t stop talking about it being the end of the year. Needless to say, I’m just as guilty! This year has gone by surprisingly faster than we’d expected. I think it may have something to do with how well we are adjusting, to life during a pandemic? Well, this may not be for everyone, but the truth is, our Umuzi community has been thriving!

In spite of all the unforeseen challenges thrown in our path, the recruits, staff, and employer partners have been working at winning against all odds. A big thank you to all the incredible people in our community that show up and do their part. It’s not always easy, but it sure is worth it!

Here’s to a great 2021. Now let’s dig into this last Kicker for the year and rest bafethu.

The Work Placements

Nontokozo Mbonani from C20 has joined QA at i Lab.

Keanu Bowker from C24 has joined ALX Africa as a Junior Data Analyst.

Rulani Panguana from C24 has joined the King James as a IT Intern.

Lesedi Thethe - Copywriting from C26 joined 99c on work experience.

Busisiwe Gcuma - Copywriting from C26 joined FOXP2 on work experience.

Palesa Liutloileng - Copywriting from C26 joined 2U on work experience.

Sky Khola - Copywriting from C26 joined 2U on work experience.

Aidan Lewis - Copywriting from C26 joined 99c on work experience.

Thoko Bucibo - Copywriting from C26 joined FOXP2 on work experience.

Khumo Rakgomo - Copywriting from C26 joined Iprospect South Africa on work experience.

Nozuko Tshangela - Copywriting from C26 joined 2U on work experience.

Cohort 24 – Post Work Experience Placements

#1 Congratulations to the Old Mutual gang for finishing your experience and for their respective fixed contract!

#2 Congratulations to the Sanlam gang for finishing your work experience and for their extended contracts!

#2 Congratulations to the Wunderman Thompson gang for finishing their work experience and for your respective new contracts!

Recruits Making Moves

Tech Spotlight

This past month has been a very good one for our tech recruits. So many exciting things to report for this department. We have more than 20 recruits who have been serving some serious a$$ kicking. Congratulation to you all for all your hard work.

Problem Solving Foundations 2 - 3

Si’thi asbonge bafethu. This first group of individuals have moved from problem-solving foundation 2 - Problem-solving foundations 3.

Xolani Mgube - C25 Web Dev

Njabulo Mhlambi - C25 Data Eng

Tlhakodiso Kgasago-C25 Data Science

Luvo Spofana - C25 Web Dev

Problem Solving Foundations 1 - 2

These guys have moved from problem-solving foundation 1 - Problem-solving foundations 2. Well done on the progress guys. Keep it up!

Gugulethu Mavimbela - C22 Web Dev

Mxolisi Sibaya- C28 Web Dev

Sandile Nkosi - C28 Web Dev

Andile Dimba - C27 Web Dev

Codie Mellem - C28 Data Science

Mpilo Ndlovu - C28 Web Dev

Philani Mtembu - C29 Data Science

Ronald Nkadimeng - C25 Web Dev

Mathibela Lemekoana - C30 Web Dev

Zubair Ajam - C25 Web Dev

Babalwa Mbolekwa - C22 Web Dev

Lufuno Khuvhe - C25 Data Eng

Oreneile Sejeso - C25 Java

Refilwe Mashile - C27 Web Dev

Taelo Seholoba - C30 Web Dev

Great Explainers

As mentioned there is more. The tech team has been hard at work flying the MUB (making Umuzi better) flag these past couple of months. One of the cool initiatives they kicked off is the, Great Explainers. What’s a great explainer? Well, this is someone who is able to explain basic concepts to the next person. This is sort of a buddy system that pairs Great Explainers with learners who may need additional assistance to understand new concepts and terminologies in tech. This initiative is geared up to ensuring that knowledge is shared and understood by those on the receiving end.

To get a sense of whom the tech Great Explainers are, recruits and staff had to nominate people whom they deemed to be fit for the title. Many nominations were received however Amen Nkala C27, Lindokuhle Shabalala C27 and Luvo Spofana C25 all doing web dev, were nominated by staff members and recruits as Great Explainers (aka G.E.O.A.T).

This is a great example of how, ‘sharing is caring’ pays off! Well done on building your fellow recruits up, guys.

Extra Mile Corner

Refilwe Mashile from C27 snagged a #GirlCoder of the month with Girl Code . Congratulations on your win. #keepcoding

UI/UX Design Spotlight

Boitumelo Molapo (C30) UI Design

Boitumelo has been delivering stellar work since she started her UI learning journey. She is said to be diligent, thorough with her research and consistent in what she puts out.

This makes working with her a great pleasure! The DPD team is extremely pleased with her shame, abonge.

Nyakallo Ramantso (C24) UI Design

Nyakallo has had one challenging year! Kodwa in spite of all the challenges thrown his way the man kept his cool and pushed through on his goal.

Nyakallo re-wrote matric, twice this year while up-skilling on his UI Design. He had more work on his plate than the average recruit but this did not get in the way of him showing up and delivering.

He tenacious approach to reaching his goals has inspired our staff community and his teachers alike.

African Coding Network

New Umuzi Cohort

The African Coding Network has been piloting the Umuzi flagship training with youth in both Nigeria and Kenya. We have seven incredible recruits from the ACN joining us, two of who are doing a part-time 1-year programme. Trinity Tiratram, Dawn Ndemo, Aminat Omobonike Amusa, Stephen Atehe and Margaret Okore make up cohort 32A. They have all completed a Grow with Google certificate respectfully.

A big congratulation to you guys for joining the movement. Special thanks to Ryan and the team for working so hard to make this all a reality, Siyabonga.

Alumni Making Moves!

Milton Mcabe

Milton aka Milton Frxsh King (C0) was part of a team of creatives who worked on the new KFC #ziphathegrand campaign. They had the privilege of working with Steve Kompela the South African football manager and a former manager for Maritzburg United, Kaizer Chiefs, and Bloemfontein Celtic. He’s currently managing Mamelodi Sundowns. Watch the advert here.

Behind the Scenes: Umuzi Edition

Staff Kicking A$$

A big shout out to Srum Masters Lisa and Asanda for passing the Professional Srum Master 1 on their first attempt.

The Professional Scrum Master level I (PSM I) is an online, lifetime certification provided by Scrum.org. It is well known for being quite challenging: 85% score is required for passing it, which is unusually high. This makes Lisa and Asanda Legends at this point! Well done guys for making us proud.

Throwback Of The Month

Urban Muthi presents: Identity

This month’s YouTube throwback is all about identity and the peoples thoughts on the matter. This take on the subject touches on the identity crisis side of things. Just like the protest video last month, things aren’t as they seem. Well, just check out the clip

Enjoy!