const developer = {
name: "Thembelihle Queeneth Maluka",
pronouns: "She/Her",
location: "South Africa",
education: "Diploma in Computer Science",
university: "Tshwane University of Technology",
experience: {
development: "16 months",
design: "3 months (Figma)"
},
portfolio: "https://thembelihle-dev.vercel.app/",
currentFocus: "Seeking opportunities at innovative tech companies",
interests: {
technical: ["Web Development", "Full Stack", "UI/UX Design"],
personal: ["Reading", "Movies", "TV Series"]
},
philosophy: "From confusion to passion - proving that persistence pays off"
};
| Year | The Story |
|---|---|
| 2019 | The Spark - WeThinkCode visited my school in Grade 12. When they mentioned a starting salary of R20k for developers, I was immediately hooked. This was my introduction to the world of software development. |
| 2020 | Gap Year & Discovery - No university accepted me, so I took a gap year. During this time, I watched The Social Network and became fascinated with how Facebook was created. The intrigue was real, and tech became my obsession. |
| 2021 | The Beginning - Applied to TUT for Computer Science. I didn't even know how to use a PC properly. Everything was confusing. But then I typed my first "Hello World" and got so excited - I genuinely thought I did something amazing! |
| 2022 | The Struggle - I thought once I learned to use a PC, things would be easy. I was wrong. This year was incredibly hard. The learning curve was steep, and I questioned myself often. |
| 2023 | The Turnaround - Things started clicking. I began improving academically, understanding concepts better, and my confidence grew. The pieces were finally coming together. |
| 2024 | The Fire Ignites - This was the year everything changed. I genuinely started ENJOYING coding. The passion ignited, and suddenly it wasn't just about passing - it was about creating, building, and solving problems. |
| 2025-2026 | Present Day - The passion continues to grow stronger. Now with 16 months of development experience and 3 months of UI/UX design experience in Figma, I'm actively seeking to join an innovative tech company where I can make an impact. |
const goals2025 = {
career: [
"Join an innovative tech company where I can grow and contribute",
"Build impactful projects that solve real-world problems",
"Contribute to open-source communities",
"Continue expanding my UI/UX design skills"
],
learning: [
"Advanced React patterns and architecture",
"Next.js and server-side rendering",
"GraphQL and modern API design",
"Advanced Figma prototyping and design systems",
"Docker and containerization",
"Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)"
],
dreamProjects: [
"Social platform connecting book enthusiasts",
"AI-powered movie recommendation engine",
"Full-stack e-commerce solution with beautiful UI",
"Developer portfolio template system"
],
mantra: "From not knowing how to use a PC to building full-stack applications - if I can do it, anyone can. It's all about persistence and passion."
};const myValue = {
technicalSkills: {
frontend: ["React", "React Native", "TypeScript", "Tailwind", "Bootstrap"],
backend: ["Node.js", "Express", "RESTful APIs"],
databases: ["PostgreSQL", "MySQL"],
design: ["Figma", "UI/UX principles", "Responsive design"]
},
softSkills: [
"Problem-solving mindset",
"Quick learner (went from PC novice to full-stack in 5 years)",
"Resilient (pushed through the difficult 2022 period)",
"Passionate and self-driven",
"Growth mindset - always eager to learn"
],
uniqueJourney: "I understand what it's like to start from absolute zero. This gives me empathy for users and drives me to create intuitive, accessible applications.",
workEthic: "When the fire ignited in 2024, it hasn't stopped burning. I code because I love it, not just because I have to."
};- Started knowing nothing about PCs, now building full-stack applications
- Took inspiration from Facebook's origin story to pursue tech
- First "Hello World" felt like winning an award
- Survived the tough 2022 period and came back stronger
- The passion that ignited in 2024 keeps growing every day
- Balance coding with design - love creating both functional and beautiful interfaces
