Zanele Kukuma – Software Engineer
Ms Zanele Kukuma graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a degree in computer science. As a mid-level software engineer at NRF-SARAO, she contributes to projects such as the WebArchive, the Observation Planning Tool (OPT), and PAWS. She has co-authored two published papers — Unlocking Efficiency: Python-Powered DOI Creation Automation, and SARAO Science Repository: Sustainable Use of MeerKAT Data. She is an active mentor to junior colleagues, promoting their growth while enhancing her own leadership and knowledge-sharing skills. She is passionate about strengthening the engineering community by encouraging open dialogue, skills transfer, and a culture of collective problem-solving where all voices are valued. Ms Kukuma aspires to leave a lasting impact on the engineering community while championing inclusivity, mentorship, and collaborative innovation.
