A self-taught IT specialist has encouraged women to dream big no matter their current circumstances in life. Bonisiwe Gumede, known as Thandoh (31), said having dreams kept her going and motivated her to open her Technology and Science Centre and school, BSG and Technologies Combined PS.
“Even though you have nothing, start doing things that will make your dream come true,” she said.
Gumede who is passionate about empowering young people said she wants youngsters from her hometown in Hluhluwe to learn everything while they are still young because there are opportunities within the science and technology sector.
Gumede said she grew up in the Mnqobokazi area, at Hluhluwe under uMkhanyakude District Municipality and they did not learn much about science and technology. “When I went to the University of Zululand to do my Bachelor of Science I noticed that there are things that I could have learned in high school or primary,” she added.
She said at that time she knew that she would have to do something to assist people younger than her who struggled in science and technology. Gumede said after she graduated, she was hired as a teacher, and bit by bit she started with her project.
“I started buying some chemicals out of my pocket for school. In 2019 I resigned and went to Pretoria to learn more about how I can run my own science and technology centre to assist pupils,” explained Gumede.
Although there were challenges with some people discouraging her she said she found joy from parents who came to her and said the marks of their pupils were improving and they like the kind of work that she is doing. “That motivated me even more and we are now working with more than 500 schools in Umkhanyakude,” she said.
Gumede said this sector opened doors for her as she is coming from humble beginnings. “My mother used to work hard just to put food on the table. She used to make grass mats just so we could go to school and eat,” she said.
Gumede said she has recently just won Miss Universe of Technology and believes that anyone with a smartphone can be able to make money on the internet.
Sunday Tribune