Nyari Samushonga, WeThinkCode CEO, shares what inspired her to start coding – A Detailed Guide
In a world where technology continues to redefine the way we live, work, and communicate, the role of women in tech has become increasingly important. Nyari Samushonga, the CEO of WeThinkCode, is one such inspiring figure who has made significant strides in the tech industry. As a leader and advocate for coding, Nyari has not only become a role model for aspiring developers but has also been instrumental in helping bridge the gap for underrepresented communities in the world of technology.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at Nyari Samushonga’s journey to becoming the CEO of one of South Africa’s leading coding institutions, WeThinkCode, and explore what inspired her to start coding in the first place.
1. Who is Nyari Samushonga?
Nyari Samushonga is an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, and the CEO of WeThinkCode, a coding academy in South Africa that provides world-class, practical coding education to young people. With a mission to equip South African youth with the necessary skills to excel in the digital age, WeThinkCode is changing the landscape of technology education, focusing on underprivileged communities.
Under Nyari’s leadership, the academy has grown rapidly, offering a free, innovative, and unique learning model that allows students to learn to code without upfront fees, relying instead on a pay-for-performance model. Nyari’s drive, passion, and vision for creating opportunities in the tech sector have made her a trailblazer in the industry.
2. What Inspired Nyari Samushonga to Start Coding?
Nyari’s journey into coding wasn’t a direct path, but rather a series of experiences that gradually led her to the world of technology. Like many women in the tech industry, she faced challenges as a minority in a male-dominated field. But what stood out about Nyari’s story was her determination to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and make a significant impact.
Early Exposure to Technology
Nyari’s introduction to technology came from a relatively early age. Growing up in Zimbabwe, she was fortunate to have access to a computer, something not all students in her community could boast of. This access allowed her to explore the digital world and piqued her interest in how technology worked. Although she wasn’t immediately drawn to coding at first, she felt the potential of technology to create change and transformation.
A Natural Curiosity for Problem Solving
From a young age, Nyari was always curious about how things worked. She was the type of person who took apart gadgets and tools just to understand their inner workings. This curiosity served as the foundation for her future career. She had an innate passion for solving problems and finding innovative solutions, which aligned perfectly with the field of coding. Technology, and especially software development, allowed her to bring her ideas to life by solving complex problems through simple solutions.
Influence of Mentors and Role Models
While Nyari didn’t initially have a female role model in the tech industry, she was inspired by the women in her life who overcame their own struggles to succeed. These women, particularly from her family, instilled in her a sense of resilience and perseverance that she carried with her into her tech career. As she advanced in the tech world, she discovered the power of female mentorship. One of the key moments in Nyari’s journey was the realization that the industry needed more women in leadership roles, more women who could provide the support, encouragement, and guidance to future generations of women coders.
The Turning Point
Nyari’s pivotal moment came when she attended a coding bootcamp in the United States. This bootcamp was a life-changing experience for Nyari, where she was exposed to the possibilities of coding and software development. The opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded individuals opened her eyes to the vast potential that coding had to offer. For the first time, she truly understood the impact that technology could have on people’s lives—particularly in providing solutions to global challenges.
Through this experience, she realized that she wanted to be part of this transformative field and contribute to democratizing access to coding education. This realization led Nyari to start exploring ways to bring coding opportunities to underserved communities, which ultimately resulted in the founding of WeThinkCode.
3. The Birth of WeThinkCode
Nyari Samushonga’s decision to start WeThinkCode wasn’t just about her own desire to succeed in tech—it was about creating opportunities for others who might not have had the same access to resources that she had.
WeThinkCode was designed to address the skills gap in the South African tech industry by providing young people—especially from underprivileged backgrounds—the chance to learn coding and technology skills in a non-traditional way. The academy was founded with the belief that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Nyari envisioned a platform where anyone with potential, regardless of their financial background, could learn to code and pursue a career in technology.
A Revolutionary Approach to Coding Education
Unlike traditional coding programs, WeThinkCode adopts a peer-to-peer learning approach. Students learn through collaborative projects, real-world problem solving, and mentorship. There are no formal teachers—just a team of highly skilled coders and industry professionals guiding students through the learning process. Students only pay for the program once they secure employment, ensuring that the program is financially accessible to everyone.
This innovative model has made WeThinkCode a standout institution, helping many young South Africans break into the tech industry and build long-lasting careers. Under Nyari’s leadership, WeThinkCode has helped hundreds of students gain valuable tech skills and secure positions in top companies, both locally and internationally.
4. The Importance of Women in Tech
Nyari Samushonga’s passion for technology is matched by her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She is a staunch advocate for more women to get involved in coding and tech-related fields.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Tech
Tech has historically been a male-dominated field, and many women face additional challenges when entering this space. However, Nyari has always believed that gender should not limit anyone’s opportunities, especially in a world where technology affects all aspects of our lives. She aims to break the stereotypes and barriers that have traditionally kept women from pursuing careers in tech.
By running WeThinkCode, Nyari is not only teaching young people to code, but she is also actively working to increase female representation in tech. As a woman in a leadership role, Nyari serves as a beacon for other young women aspiring to succeed in the tech industry. She regularly speaks at events and initiatives designed to encourage women to explore tech careers and develop skills that will prepare them for the future of work.
The Future of Women in Coding
One of Nyari’s most important goals is to empower the next generation of female coders. She believes that when women are given the tools and opportunities to thrive, they can make a lasting impact in the tech industry. By creating inclusive educational spaces like WeThinkCode, Nyari hopes to see more women in leadership positions in tech, tackling the problems of tomorrow.
5. What’s Next for Nyari Samushonga and WeThinkCode?
Looking ahead, Nyari Samushonga has big plans for both her personal career and for WeThinkCode.
Expanding WeThinkCode’s Reach
Nyari’s vision for WeThinkCode is to continue scaling the institution to serve even more students, with a focus on reaching underserved communities across South Africa and beyond. The goal is to equip young people with the skills necessary to take on global challenges, be it in coding, tech entrepreneurship, or other areas of innovation.
Inspiring More Women in Tech
Nyari is also committed to furthering the inclusion of women in the tech sector, and she plans to mentor and support more women who are looking to break into the industry. With her ongoing efforts, Nyari hopes to inspire many young women to take up coding and technology, helping to create a more equitable and diverse tech workforce.
Nyari Samushonga’s journey to becoming the CEO of WeThinkCode is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and opportunity. What started as a simple curiosity about how technology works has grown into a full-fledged mission to change the landscape of tech education in South Africa. Through WeThinkCode, Nyari is not just teaching young people how to code—she is empowering them to change the world.
Her story is a powerful reminder that anyone, regardless of gender or background, can succeed in technology, as long as they have the right support and opportunities. Nyari’s commitment to increasing access to education and promoting diversity in tech is helping to pave the way for future generations of women and men who will shape the future of technology.
