Thabang Ledwaba
Leading Teams to success, TL , PATEL, Software and People Engineer, Delivery Lead and Manager
Johannesburg, South Africa
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An Engineer that has been in the industry for just over 10 years, with a keen interest in optimization in technology as well as developer relations with regards to training and building effective teams
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AI Meets Spring: Building Intelligent Microservices with Java
As AI rapidly becomes a core part of modern applications, Java developers are faced with an exciting challenge: how do we integrate intelligent behavior into robust, scalable microservices?
In this talk, we’ll explore how to bring the power of machine learning into the Java ecosystem using Spring Boot. We'll walk through the creation of an intelligent microservice that leverages a pre-trained AI model — for example, to classify text, recommend content, or power a chatbot — all seamlessly integrated into a Spring-based architecture
Unlocking Africa’s Future: The Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence
As Africa stands at the crossroads of rapid population growth, urbanization, and digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. This presentation explores how AI can be harnessed as a tool for sustainable development—addressing issues in healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and governance.
We’ll delve into real-world applications of AI across African nations, highlight innovative local solutions, and discuss how ethical and inclusive AI development can empower communities, bridge data gaps, and foster economic growth. The session will also examine the importance of homegrown talent, policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping an AI-powered future tailored to Africa’s unique context.
It is time to reimagine the continent’s future through the lens of AI—one that is driven by innovation, equity, and resilience.
Vectorization, the real power of AI ?
A talk that looks at the concept of vectorization and it's effects on AI and ML with a view of all the various techniques that are available when using this seemingly complicated concept.
Cultural Competence in the Digital Age
A talk looking at how the remote abilities we enjoy have created an additional layer of complexity to how we respond as business and individuals in our responsibilities.
Turning your web cam into a super camera
As an R&D Engineer it is always challenging to find your way into playing with tech and immersing yourself in what is out there and is of general interest. Growing up by only being exposed to arcade games that required the famous 50c coin, it has been my ambition to one day play pacman for free. This also came with the age old embarrassment every time as a family we had to look at old childhood photos. Of course building the game was interesting at first but so what ? How about playing pacman with your hand…. And better yet with this knowledge of how to get the most out of a webcam, imagine building facial recognition that inadvertently can be further used for emergency situations or better yet check wedding photos to see who was really happy at your wedding.
Unlocking Africa’s Future: The Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence
As Africa stands at the crossroads of rapid population growth, urbanization, and digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. This presentation explores how AI can be harnessed as a tool for sustainable development—addressing issues in healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and governance.
We’ll delve into real-world applications of AI across African nations, highlight innovative local solutions, and discuss how ethical and inclusive AI development can empower communities, bridge data gaps, and foster economic growth. The session will also examine the importance of homegrown talent, policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping an AI-powered future tailored to Africa’s unique context.
It is time we reimagine the continent’s future through the lens of AI—one that is driven by innovation, equity, and resilience.
Software Craftsmanship in the Age of AI and Code Assistants
As AI-driven tools and code assistants like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and others become increasingly integrated into software development workflows, developers face a new frontier: balancing speed and automation with quality, intent, and human touch. This presentation explores what it means to be a software craftsman in a world where machines can now generate code, suggest patterns, and even refactor logic.
We'll dive into how craftsmanship evolves—not disappears—in the presence of AI. From maintaining clean architecture and meaningful abstractions to understanding the deeper "why" behind the code, we’ll discuss how developers can uphold standards, remain intentional, and continue to grow as engineers despite (or because of) this new era of assistance.
Whether you're a seasoned developer or just entering the field, this talk will challenge you to rethink the role of human creativity, judgment, and excellence in an increasingly automated coding landscape.
From Manual to Mindful: How AI is Reshaping the Delivery Lifecycle
The age of AI is fundamentally transforming how we manage and deliver projects. This session goes beyond the buzzwords to explore the practical applications of AI across the entire delivery lifecycle. We'll examine how AI is enabling a shift from reactive to proactive management, empowering teams to move faster with greater precision.
This talk is for delivery managers, project leaders, and business stakeholders who want to understand the new competencies required to lead in an AI-driven environment. We will discuss the strategic, ethical, and human-centric aspects of this transformation, providing a clear roadmap for building smarter, more efficient delivery processes
Engineering Chance: Using Gambling Mechanics for Positive System Design
Gambling algorithms aren’t just for casinos—they’re powerful design primitives for managing uncertainty, incentives, and engagement. This talk explores how reinforcement schedules, payout structures, and probabilistic rewards can be engineered for good, powering applications in finance, health, and education. Learn how to harness chance ethically to build systems that improve lives.
Solutions Are Not Enough Anymore...
For years, software delivery has been obsessed with finding “solutions” — new tools, new processes, new frameworks. But too often, these solutions simply add layers of complexity, governance, and technical debt, while the underlying problems remain untouched.
This talk challenges that mindset. Instead of asking “How do we solve this?”, we need to ask: “How do we remove the problem so it never returns?” Drawing from real-world delivery experiences, I’ll share stories of teams who stopped firefighting and started fireproofing — from redesigning fragile pipelines to eliminating unnecessary approvals altogether.
We’ll explore a practical framework for leaders and practitioners to shift from patching symptoms to permanently eradicating root causes. Along the way, we’ll look at how incentives, architecture, and organizational design can either entrench recurring issues or eliminate them entirely.
By the end of this talk, you’ll be equipped with a new lens: one that measures success not by how many solutions you deliver, but by how many problems you make irrelevant.
The Cost of AI FOMO: How Hype is Burning Businesses
AI is transforming industries, but many businesses are burning cash chasing the hype. From rushed pilots to overpriced tools, “AI FOMO” is costing companies more than they realize. In this talk, we’ll explore why executives fall into the hype trap, showcase real-world examples of failed AI adoption, and share practical frameworks for evaluating AI investments responsibly. Attendees will leave with clear strategies to separate signal from noise and make AI a value driver—not a financial drain.
Data and AI Community Day May 2025 Sessionize Event
Thabang Ledwaba
Leading Teams to success, TL , PATEL, Software and People Engineer, Delivery Lead and Manager
Johannesburg, South Africa
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