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26 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
“Seeing an African child succeed was always my motivation to work hard and strive for success,” says Masabata Chabeli, founder of NDSH, a newly established coding and robotics skills development programme.

Masabata Chabeli’s journey from teacher to tech entrepreneur led her to establish New Dawn Skills Hub (NDSH), which focuses on developing skills in coding and robotics, building a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) and fourth industrial revolution (4IR) experts. 

Chabeli is a former UFS lecturer and a graduate of the EBL Institute of Business and Technology, which partners with the UFS Business School on community development, entrepreneurship development, and digital skills development programmes that benefit not only the youth but South Africans at large. 

Through NDSH she aims to bridge the gap between education and industry to from an early age equip pre-schoolers and learners with the skills necessary for success in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

She believes that when it comes to inventing new things not much has been done to encourage learners to be creative and innovative, especially at school level. “We have a long way to go,” she says.

Even though NDSH is still at an early stage of its development as a coding and robotics skills development service provider, the company already offers a range of programmes, from early childhood development (ECD) programmes for ages six months to Grade R, to a tutoring programme covering mathematics, science and technology.

Discovering her passion

Although she had always been a tech enthusiast, Chabeli never imagined pursuing a career in technology, let alone starting a business. “Teaching has always been my first passion,” she says. “But after more than a decade of teaching, I realised I wasn’t fulfilled. I wanted more, but I didn't know what that was.”

It wasn’t until 2017, when she was one of 45 lecturers from around the country selected to spend a month in China learning about 4IR technologies, including courses on coding and robotics, 3D-printing applications, and intelligent manufacturing, that Chabeli’s interest in tech was piqued. Two years later, she resigned from her position as a lecturer at the University of Free State to start her own tech business – and she hasn't looked back since.

Walking the road with Chabeli was Lesala Khetheng, Business Manager representing the EBL Institute of Business and Technology. Chabeli completed EBL’s Entrepreneurship and Business Literacy Programme and the Women in Digital Business Challenge.

I strongly encourage women who want to enter the innovation space to do so, because there is a great need. We must raise a next generation of innovators, who can solve their own problems through innovative ideas. – Masabata Chabeli
Overcoming the obstacles 

The journey towards achieving one’s dreams is often riddled with obstacles. “As a teacher with no prior business experience, I was ill-prepared for the day-to-day operations of running a business, and I neglected that aspect. However, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Entrepreneur Business Literacy (EBL) Institute mentorship programme in 2021-2022, which taught me about critical business components such as marketing, business management, cashflow, sales, and more.

“Having to prove that ‘I can’ as a black woman in technical fields has also been one of the challenges that I had to overcome. I have had to go above and beyond and work 10 times harder than my male counterparts to prove that I am just as capable,” she remarks.

Often being the only woman in the local industry made her doubt herself and feel like she didn’t belong. She says it was challenging because sometimes she found herself trying to talk, walk, and act like her male counterparts just to fit in. However, staying true to herself, being authentic, and having confidence in her abilities has helped her.

Greatest accomplishments

She says one of her greatest accomplishments thus far was taking a leap of faith by resigning and starting her own tech business. “The business was officially registered in February 2020, shortly before we were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the business has been growing steadily, starting with only two children, and now serving over 50 across all our programmes.”

Another highlight for her was being selected as one of the Top 10 MTN SA Foundation Women in ICT Challenge female entrepreneurs. 

While she talks proudly about these successes, Chabeli is of the opinion that starting your own business is not for the faint-hearted. “It requires a lot of patience, hard work, and passion. You must prepare yourself for long hours and sacrificing time with family and friends. Discipline is also an important aspect when running your own business."

Women in the inventing space

“I strongly encourage women who want to enter the innovation space to do so, because there is a great need. We must raise a next generation of innovators, who can solve their own problems through innovative ideas,” she says.

Chabeli elaborates, “Seeing an African child succeed was always my motivation to work hard and strive for success, especially in the areas of literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, which are all valuable competencies for inventing new things. It inspired me to lend a helping hand in bridging the skills gap that our country is facing.”

News Archive

‘Gaza doctor’ Izzeldin Abuelaish visits UFS
2011-10-12

 

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, Harvard graduate and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, is a Palestinian doctor who became the centre of a media firestorm in January 2009 when three of his daughters were killed and members of his family injured in an attack on Gaza (see e.g. The New York Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html ). He is the author of the bestselling I shall not hate: a Gaza doctor’s journey on the road to peace and human dignity. Dr Abuelaish will present two public lectures on 17 and 18 October 2011. Dr Abuelaish was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.

The 18 October lecture in the Faculty of Health Sciences is registered for 2 ethics ceu's on Level 2, reference number: MDB004/002/10/2011.

Date: 17 October
Time: 19h00-20h00
Venue: Education Faculty Auditorium (new building behind Sasol Library) 
Title: "I shall not hate": A Gaza Doctor's Transformational Journey of Loss, Love and Change

Date: 18 October
Time: 12h45 vir 13h00-14h00
Venue: Health Sciences Faculty Metro 3 (across Francois Retief Building)
 
Title: A healing bridge: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity
 
For information: call the International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice (401 9808) or Prof Jackie du Toit: dutoitjs@ufs.ac.za

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