Dineo Sebatana is our remarkable alumna. Having recently graduated with a Master of Management in Technology and Innovation, she is now poised to continue in navigating the dynamic landscape of the world of work. Armed with the qualification, Dineo has honed her ability to analyse complex challenges and devise innovative, sustainable solutions. In this recent engagement with her, Dineo speaks with insightful candour and in the most incisive terms about the journey thus far...
Dineo Sebatana, an accomplished IT professional with a track record of driving innovation and excellence in South Africa's corporate landscape, her career began as a developer, and she has since played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of some leading corporations. Dineo's expertise spans backend, frontend, and integration domains. She has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives that promote modernisation within major South African corporations.
Specialising in crafting high-quality system requirements and processes aligning with the organisation's vision, Dineo leads a team of Systems Analysts. Known for her exceptional leadership in developing people, ensuring well-being, managing expectations, and enforcing process compliance, she played a significant role in enhancing website functionality and access to investment portfolios and documents for a major client.
Additionally, she led the integration of online share trading capabilities into mobile banking applications, earning recognition for her efforts. Dineo spearheaded critical application upgrades, enabling efficient reconciliation of accounts. Her journey in IT began as a trainee developer, contributing to mortgage loan applications. Overall, it is important to note that Dineo's career is marked by her strategic acumen, innovative solutions, and commitment to driving modernisation and efficiency within South Africa's corporate landscape.
Dineo's professional journey in the IT field is nothing short of remarkable. In addition, she has achieved significant academic milestones, culminating in the completion of her Master’s degree qualification with The DaVinci Institute.
Influenced largely by a fruitful career in IT, Dineo’s dissertation entitled: “Dynamics of Working in a Dispersed Environment in a South African Retail and Commercial Bank”, is aimed at examining the dynamics of working in a dispersed environment for Agile Software Development within the context of one of the South African banks – as the title itself suggests. This study identified the challenge of dispersed teams working together on ASD and confronted by unpredictable business circumstances in the South African banking industry. The theoretical framework which underpinned this study was General Systems Theory. This study also critically reviewed relevant and recent literature on Agile Software Development and working in a dispersed environment.
Consequently, the study’s findings showed that the impact of ASD team member participation on the communication and collaboration dynamics was examined by assessing other parts of the system, such as the dispersed environment, tools, and work-life balance. Further, this study recommends that the bank conducts multiple professional development training workshops on working in dispersed environments; the needs of the employees must mainly guide those workshops. Furthermore, theoretically and practically, this study contributes to team performance according to the team performance model.
When asked about the attributes that ensured her success in this journey, Dineo credits her unwavering resolve. This determination empowered her to confront academic challenges head-on, maintain focus, and diligently work towards achieving her Master’s qualification. She emphasises that her unwavering resolve was key to consistent progress and mastering the subjects.
Furthermore, Dineo demonstrated extraordinary resilience, enabling her to overcome hurdles and sustain continuous effort and learning throughout her academic journey. This resilience played a pivotal role in her ultimate success. With a clear, future-oriented vision, Dineo strategically aligned her academic pursuits with broader career objectives in technology and innovation management. This ensured that her studies were not only comprehensive but also relevant and strategically aligned with evolving industry trends.
When quizzed about the upcoming steps on her journey, Dineo declares that the future path is illuminated by her passion for technology and personal well-being. She could potentially pioneer technological innovations that enhance personal well-being, focusing on mental health, overall personal development and skills development. Through mentorship and coaching, she hopes to guide and empower others on their journeys. Collaborative partnerships with organisations focused on skills development and well-being, coupled with continuous personal learning and adaptation, could further augment her impact. In essence, Dineo is poised to blend her technological expertise with a heartfelt commitment to nurturing skills and personal growth, and well-being in others.
It is judicious, therefore, to afford the sagacious insights of Dineo the honour of concluding this narrative, as she imparts a discerning perspective for advice: “Embarking on this academic journey is a transformative experience. First and foremost, embrace every challenge you encounter. Each difficulty is an opportunity to build resilience and learn. Surround yourself with a supportive network of family, mentors and peers whose guidance and support will be invaluable in your journey. Prioritise your well-being, ensuring you maintain a healthy balance between your studies, work (where applicable) and personal life.
"Let your passion be the driving force behind your efforts, keeping you motivated and focused. Lastly, maintain a mindset of continuous learning. Be receptive to new ideas, knowledge, and experiences, as they are crucial for your growth and adaptation in the ever-evolving fields of leadership, technology and innovation.”