How to Break Into Tech in South Africa – Dev Manager Shares Real Advice

In this relaxed and inspiring conversation, I shared my journey as a Development Manager — from breaking into tech, to leading teams, to how AI is changing the software development workflow.

Whether you’re self-taught, a junior developer, or simply curious about the South African tech space, this one’s for you!

Key insights I shared:
– Your CV and keywords matter — make sure your application gets into the right hiring hands.
– Opportunities are there — you just need to showcase your solutioning skills and past successes.
– AI is a true game changer — but staying relevant means learning to synthesise knowledge into real-world solutions.

We covered:
– My career journey from developer to IT manager
– The current and future state of South Africa’s tech industry
– How AI can boost developer productivity
– Tips for self-taught individuals trying to land their first job
– Real advice for aspiring software engineers
– Common early-career challenges and how to overcome them