Thembiso Magajana, Social Coding SA
It’s been a year since Thembiso Magajana won the Social Entrepreneur Award. She reflects on the big day and what it meant for her and her brand.
Thembiso couldn’t attend the 2023 awards ceremony; she was in Zambia, working to continue the mission of Social Coding SA to close the digital gap that rural youth face. Even though she didn’t hear her name being called out in person, when she heard that she had won the Social Entrepreneur Award, “I felt surprise, gratitude, and a deep sense of validation for the work we do at Social Coding,” she says. “Knowing that our efforts were recognised in such a prestigious manner was incredibly uplifting.”
The support of her friends and family has been a cornerstone of Thembiso’s journey. They know the sacrifices and hard work that have gone into building my company, and seeing it celebrated on such a grand scale was a moment of collective celebration.”
Since winning, Social Coding SA has garnered much-needed visibility and credibility. “It has opened doors for new partnerships and funding opportunities, allowing us to expand our reach and impact even further.” And they’re even closer to making Thembiso’s commitment to achieving digital democracy for rural youth by 2050 a reality. She’s now thinking bigger about the future of Social Coding SA. “We are exploring new avenues for scaling up our programmes and deepening our impact, with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.”
The award has also opened up new opportunities. “We’ve attracted interest from
potential partners and funders, and we’ve collaborated with other organisations and individuals who share our vision of bridging the digital divide,” Thembiso says. These collaborations have enabled Social Coding SA to expand its programmes and reach even more young people in rural communities, furthering their mission of creating socioeconomic opportunities through technology.
Her advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs? “Stay true to your vision and be relentless in your pursuit of it. Surround yourself with a supportive network, and be open to learning and growing. And never lose sight of the difference you are making in the lives of others.”
To find out more about Thembiso’s company, visit: https://www.socialcodingsa.com/