TUT alumnus turns ICT expertise into entrepreneurial success

Kulani Shaun Mabasa, a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) alumnus and co-founder, director and CEO of ShaDo Solutions, is transforming his ICT expertise into a growing technology enterprise that embodies the University’s vision of “Entrepreneuring the Future Together.”

ShaDo Solutions develops digital products, enterprise web systems and customised Internet of Things (IoT) solutions aimed at addressing operational challenges facing African businesses and organisations. “I believe we need to shift our mindset from simply looking for jobs to creating value, building businesses and solving problems. Entrepreneurship is about identifying a need, developing a solution and creating something that makes a difference,” said Mabasa.

Mabasa’s journey began at TUT, where he benefited from practical, industry-aligned ICT education. He graduated cum laude, received a Top Achievers Award on 11 August 2023, and served as an academic tutor and mentor, experiences that helped strengthen his technical, leadership and communication skills.

His achievements continued during his work-integrated learning internship. On 27 November 2025, he received the Best Overall Intern award, while his team won the Best Web Application and Best Overall System awards for solutions he helped engineer. “These experiences taught me that technology must deliver practical value. You can write code that looks good on paper, but the real test is whether it solves a problem when people use it,” he said.

Mabasa established ShaDo Solutions after identifying a need for more effective digital systems to address fragmented workflows, outdated processes and other operational challenges. The company combines software engineering with hardware to develop solutions that automate processes, improve data collection and streamline business operations.

“Many businesses do not necessarily need more complicated technology. They need technology that understands their challenges and helps them work better,” Mabasa explained. He added that building a successful technology business requires far more than technical expertise.

“Building the business requires skills beyond software development, including financial management, client acquisition and regulatory compliance. Being good at software engineering does not automatically make you good at running a business. You have to be willing to learn, listen to your clients and adapt.”

Mabasa sees significant opportunities for South African ICT graduates to develop technology solutions for sectors such as agriculture, education, logistics and energy. He believes local innovators are well positioned to develop solutions that respond directly to the country’s needs. “Local developers understand our challenges and have an opportunity to build solutions that are relevant, practical and scalable,” he said.

For students aspiring to follow an entrepreneurial path, his advice is to start experimenting and developing solutions while still at university, making use of available resources, mentors and opportunities for collaboration. “Build real things early. Find something that frustrates people or wastes time, and start working on a solution. You do not need a massive idea to begin; you need a problem worth solving,” he advised.

“Fall in love with the problem, not your code. Clients are not paying for a particular programming language or an impressive system. They are paying because you solved a problem, saved time or made their operations more reliable.”

For Mabasa, entrepreneurship is also about creating opportunities for others. He believes stronger collaboration among universities, industry, researchers, students and alumni is essential to transforming innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. His journey reflects the entrepreneurial spirit promoted through TUT’s Institutional Strategic Plan, demonstrating how practical education, innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset can contribute to economic participation and meaningful problem-solving.

As TUT advances its vision of “Entrepreneuring the Future Together,” Mabasa encourages students and graduates to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges and develop solutions that create value for society. “The future we want is something we have to create together,” he concluded.