From left – Dr Etienne van Wyk, Kearabetswe Tau, Motsepe Lucas Tau.
Kearabetswe reflected on her keen interest with computers dating back from an early age. She explained that: “My interest in computers initially developed when my dad exposed me to them at a very young age. There would always be a stack of outdated and malfunctioning computers at my house that people brought for my dad to repair. One day I became curious and wanted to help him fix them, and that is how it all started.”
Her interest in the field sharpened rapidly and she eventually enrolled at TUT’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to pursue her journey in higher education. “I specialised in software development. I was introduced to programming and I got fascinated by the fact that I could write my own programs. Later, I was introduced to data science, which grabbed my interest even more. This is when I began to do my own research on it and searching for skills and qualifications needed to qualify in that field. Computer Science was the answer”, she said.
When the University introduced Computer Science as a course at the Faculty, Kea was excited because she knew she would get exposure to data science.
When asked about her thoughts on Computer Science changing the future of work, Kea said: “Computer science will change the future of work, which has already started by automating routine work, which I think people should start seeing this revolution as an advantage and less of a threat.
Kearabetswe Tau.
She added: “This will not only reduce time consumption but also help us focus on making decisions that will help improve service delivery and also help solve challenges we face.”
The young graduate is fully cognizant of the hard work that is required to be successful in the tech industry, she mentioned that “One of the things that inspires me to dedicate a lot of effort to my academic studies is the career goal I have set for myself. If I had to describe this goal, I would say it is using technology and my technical skills to address problems we face daily. I make sure to devote myself to my studies since I am aware that I need sufficient skills to attain this goal - skills that will establish my credibility in the tech industry.
Furthermore, the vibrant Kearabetswe strongly encourages current matric learners to enroll for the Diploma in Computer Science because according to her: “The digital age is already here, and everything is constantly evolving, particularly technology. It's essential to keep up with these changes and evolve alongside them, which is why acquiring the right skills is important.
Kea expressed her appreciation towards her father for introducing her to the fascinating world of computers and technology, she mentioned that he still has hope that she will become the best at what she does and, most importantly, he wants her to enjoy it.
Kea loves to unwind by DJing, as she finds music to be one of the things that are freeing and that she enjoys. In addition, she is expressing her creative side through Photoshop and design.