By Neo Kolane
Having realised the need for young people to be creators instead of consumers of technology, computer science graduate Nomvuso Khesa is soon to open Nomvuso Institute of Coding.
Nomvuso Institute of Coding is a business that is meant to teach Grade 12 students programme language so that they specialize in website and software development.
Khesa said another reason for this idea was a research she made that involved the National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS) that it sponsors a small number of students.
She revealed that around 6 000 Grade 12 students pass and NMDS only sponsors around 4 000 learners while 2 000 students are left behind.
She told theReporter that she decided to come up with a concept where she will give the students some lessons on the programme who are still awaiting admissions at tertiary schools.
The 30-year old explained that everyone nowadays uses gadgets or machines that require technology, from cellular phones to auto-teller machines.
She indicated that makes people the users instead of the creators.
“My institute will therefore equip the youth to have the skill to create technology instead of just using easy methods of technology.
“Coding being the technology, a skill run throughout all the sectors, it would not be a waste of time even if someone would not want to pursue it as a career; it can be a skill,” Khesa said.
Another thing that will make the institute come in handy was when Khesa referenced the time when Lesotho was hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic saying that many people found it hard to work from home because of lack of necessary skills in use of technology.
She indicated that sometimes a technician would be unavailable and that is where the institute comes in handy as it will teach people basic skills in using the software in their computers.
She also mentioned that Nomvuso Institute of Coding will help Lesotho’s economy not to decline “because the country will not lose a lot of money outsourcing technicians.”
She added: “The institute will also help the youth of Lesotho who go outside of the country to look for jobs which are sometimes very risky and illegal and end up dying.
For her, technology is not just a skill used, but also chances one’s mind-set. The institute will train people to acquire computer skills. Computer scientists bring solutions.
She indicated that if one takes it as a career, one develops into being a website or data scientist.
She further said there are skills needed in the country such as the one to be provided by the institute.
Khesa revealed that people graduate in computer science but know only a small part of it.
However, Nomvuso Institute of Coding will train the students fully and will ask for internships at different companies.
She said at the start, she will be working alone, teaching is not easy hence she will not do it alone forever. People specialised in those courses will also come assist
“The idea came to mind around 2016 while I was still a student after I realised that students have a lot on the table that involve technology and on the other hand it involves a person’s time.
“A person fails not because they are hard-headed but because there is a lot to do.
“An idea came to mind that one can do a module at a time then move to the next one. Last year I studied data science with the University of Cape Town, I received the answers to what I have been looking for.
“I am certain that I can now analyse data, something I studied in two months, they gave a necessary concept,” Khesa said, adding that the facility will be based in the city of Maseru in order to be easily accessible to many learners.
Nomvuso Khesa can be contacted on +266- 6944 5606.
