Student leader grows cloud computing community

TUT student and the new AWS Student Builder Group Leader, Bongiwe Mokhati, is helping fellow students build future-ready cloud computing and AI skills. Her leadership is already creating more opportunities for students to gain practical experience, earn industry certifications and connect with the wider technology community.

Bongiwe Mokhati Bongiwe Mokhati, a third-year Computer Science (Extended Diploma) student in TUT's Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, is building an exciting career for herself at the intersection of cloud computing and AI-powered development tools. With a CompTIA A+ certification, several hackathon victories, including first place at the Greycode Hackathon 2025 and leadership roles in student technology communities, she inspires collaboration and innovation.

Mokhati officially took up the role of AWS Student Builder Group Leader (SBGL) in June 2026. She also serves as Head of Marketing for the Hacker Society, where she combines her passion for technology with community building.

As SBGL, she leads the group's Core Team and volunteers, organises AWS-focused events and maintains engagement with AWS by submitting monthly reports and event updates. She also focuses on growing the community by recruiting members, securing campus recognition and mentoring future student leaders to ensure the group's long-term success.

Just weeks after taking up the role, Mokhati led the group's first major event, the AWS Student Success Toolkit, early in July 2026. The workshop introduced students to free AWS learning platforms, including Skills Builder, Cloud Quest and Kiro, the tool replacing Amazon Q Developer. Students from all backgrounds explored cloud computing and learned how to prepare for the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, with exam vouchers available to qualifying participants.

Although most activities take place on the Soshanguve South Campus, Mokhati plans to introduce a hybrid model that combines in-person workshops with online sessions to make learning more accessible. She is also working with student communities at other institutions, including the AI Literacy Society at the University of Pretoria and UNISA's AWS Student Builder Group, to co-host a Community Day.

Mokhati said she applied for the leadership position because she wanted to create the kind of learning community she wished she had when she first started exploring cloud computing.

"I wanted to create a space where students can learn by doing, regardless of their experience. Cloud and AI skills are becoming essential across the technology industry and the AWS Student Builder Group gives students practical opportunities to develop these skills while building valuable professional networks and friendships," she said.

Looking ahead, Mokhati aims to strengthen her Core Team's AWS knowledge, host more in-person events and present certification preparation sessions. She also hopes to achieve the group's annual target of six successful events, support more students in earning AWS certifications and eventually host a Student Community Day that brings together universities from across South Africa with support from industry partners.

Encouraging students to take the first step, Mokhati said: "You don't need to feel ready before you start. I certainly didn't when I began. Failure is part of the journey, so don't beat yourself up over it, just use it as motivation to do better."