Lablonde Juliette Kalalizi, a tech entrepreneur and  confident Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, is currently completing her Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a software developer at the institution.

Her interest in technology and innovation also drove her to apply for the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador programme which she was accepted for in July 2020. After her acceptance in Microsoft as a student ambassador, she did not stop but continued to upskill herself in advanced technology and kept climbing high on the ladder of success to achieve more.

Last year,  she saw an opportunity in Blockchain Technology and Web 3 which empowered her to take advantage of what Blockchain and web 3 is preparing for the world and bring this initiative to the DUT student community.

Kalalizi, is not only an avid student but also a proud owner of Womentech Inspire, a start-up company that was established in January  2021.

“Womentech Inspire provides mentorship and coaching programmes to female students, graduates, and women in start-ups and high school learners. This start-up started as a project with the goal to build a generation of women in technology, women leaders, and women entrepreneurs, and become a change-maker in the world of employability while making an impact in global communities,” she said.

She explained the idea was initiated when she came across a problem of unemployment in the country and read the global analytics for global unemployment rates. “It is much tougher for women than it is for men to find a job, when women are employed they tend to work in low-quality jobs in vulnerable conditions, and there is little improvement forecast in the near future,” she added.

Kalalizi’objectives as a tech entrepreneur is to become a reputable software developer and build her company profile.

“My long term goal is to build Womentech Inspire as a company where I would have a chance to provide accredited  certifications to students who attend our mentorship and coaching programmes. To also empower women to achieve more, not only in the tech industry but also in business,” she commented.

Kalalizi’s advice to first-year students is that the road to success is not smooth but an individual must be determined and have a vision of what they want to do with their life in order to succeed.

“Success is personal and failure is also personal. You are the architecture of your destiny so make sure you design a good plan for your life,” she said.

If anyone is keen to be part of her initiative, they can go to: LinkedIn: Womentech Inspire, Instagram: Womentech Inspire and Twitter: Womentech Inspire.

For further details, call 076 7090 0075.

Pictured: Lablonde Juliette Kalalizi

Waheeda Peters