On annual basis, the University of Venda (UNIVEN)’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department appoints student assistants from third-year and postgraduate students who are pursuing degrees in Computer Science and Business Information Systems. The ICT department also collaborates with external service providers to bring in interns who have completed diplomas or degrees in ICT-related fields. This programme aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to enhance their employment prospects.
Their achievements demonstrate the positive impact of education aligned with industry needs, and they remain inspired to excel in information and communication technology.
From Campus Labs to Enterprise solutions: My Journey through ICT- Mr Thama Mudau
Mr Mudau said that his journey in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field is a story of growth, discovery, and continuous transformation. He says the journey began at UNIVEN in 2023 until 2025 when he served as a Student Assistant in the ICT Department—a role that laid the foundation for both his technical abilities and professional identity.
During this period, while studying Computer Science and Mathematics, Mr Mudau was actively involved in supporting ICT operations across the University. He has worked in the computer labs, ensuring that equipment was always functional, support-ing practical sessions, and providing daily assistance to both academic staff and students.
This exposure sharpened his communication skills and strengthened his ability to thrive under pressure. Beyond the technical work, Mr Mudau learned how to operate within a structured, corporate like environment—where accountability, teamwork, and reliability were just as important as technical knowledge. The transition from university to industry was both exciting and rewarding. Today, as part of the Graduate Pro-gramme at OpenText, he contributes to the development and support of Documen-tum/xCP systems for the South African Revenue Service (SARS). In this role, “I de-velop and implement enterprise content management solutions, with a focus on work-flow automation, User Interface (UI) configuration, system lifecycle management, and adherence to compliance-driven public sector requirements,” he said.
From Student Assistant to ICT Professional: A Journey of Growth, Resilience, and Purpose- Lutendo Rathari
Mr Lutendo Rathari said his journey into the ICT field is a story shaped by resilience, opportunity, and a strong academic foundation built at UNIVEN. While completing the final two modules of his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Systems, he was privileged to work as a Student Assistant in the Department of ICT. This experience became one of the most defining chapters of his academic life.
As a Student Assistant, Mr Rathari supported both lecturers and students, working hands on in computer labs, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring that practical sessions ran smoothly. This role was more than just a part time responsibil-ity—it was a powerful learning environment. It sharpened his communication skills, deepened his technical understanding, and ignited his passion for academic excellence and technological innovation.
When his contract with UNIVEN ended, another door opened almost immediately. Just a month later—and before he had even graduated— he managed to secure the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme opportunity at Adapt IT. Stepping into the role of Moodle Developer marked a significant shift from academic support to real-world system development.
My Journey from ICT Student Assistant Programme to Systems Administrator – Zandile Ndhlovu
In his words, Mr Zandile Ndhlovu expressed that, building a career in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a transformative journey that was shaped by education, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. his story begins at the UNIVEN where he pursued a qualification in Business Information Systems. This is when his passion for technology deepened.
During his studies, Mr Ndhlovu had the privilege of serving as a Student Assistant in the ICT Department. This role was more than just support work—it offered invaluable exposure to practical IT operations. Over two years, Mr Ndhlovu developed essential technical and problem-solving skills, laying a solid foundation for his career.
After graduating, Mr Ndhlovu’s career took a significant leap when he joined Eskom Megawatt Park (Headquarters) within Group IT’s Infrastructure Operations division. He served as a Systems Administrator, where he was responsible for monitoring servers, addressing server-related issues, and ensuring operational continuity. This experience strengthened his technical competency and professionalism.
Mr Ndhlovu’s role also extended into the data centre environment where he conducted assessments of Eskom server rooms and Portable Modular Data Centres (PMDCs) across South Africa. These assessments ensured that critical IT infrastructure maintained stable power, reliable cooling, and overall compliance with operational standards.
My Journey from ICT Internship Programme to Field Support Engineer at SASSA- Vhuhwavho Magadze
In 2023, Mr Magadze embarked on an internship at UNIVEN within the ICT Department where he established a solid foundation in ICT Service Desk and provided remote assistance to end-users. Following this, Mr Magadze joined the network team, gaining hands-on experience in Ethernet cable patching, diagnosing network failover challenges, and troubleshooting access points and network ports.
During his subsequent tenure as an ICT Support Intern at the Border Management Authority, He supported immigration applications such as BMCS and EMCS, managed user accounts and permissions via Active Directory, and delivered technical assistance for Sage 300 and other business systems. His responsibilities also included delivering comprehensive ICT support to border offices nationwide, addressing issues related to hardware, software, and networks.
Mr Magadze is currently a Field Support Engineer at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), providing first- and second-line ICT support across various local offices. His duties include managing endpoint antivirus solutions such as Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) and Kaspersky, supporting cross-government systems including BAS, PERSAL, and LOGIS, and adeptly diagnosing and resolving LAN, WAN, and Wi-Fi connectivity issues to ensure efficient and uninterrupted operations.
My Journey from ICT Internship Programme to Business Analyst in the Logistics Industry- Trust Nyoni
Mr Trust Nyoni explained that he gained practical experience through Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at the University of Venda as a Service Desk Analyst, where he developed hands-on skills in troubleshooting, user support, and IT system management.
Through continuous learning and mentorship, he grew both academically and professionally, sharpening his technology capabilities and building a strong foundation in ICT systems and business processes.
In 2025, after his WIL at UNIVEN, he joined Vector Logistics as a Business Analyst intern through CapeForce. This role allows him to contribute to business analysis activities, including gathering and documenting requirements, analysing processes, and collaborating with stakeholders to implement efficient system solutions. This experience has strengthened Mr Nyoni’s analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
