By Koketso Mamabolo
Vision, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit is what defines the Africa Tech Founder of the Year. For the judges of this year’s awards, Oscar Molaba, the founder of Batanidza Technologies, has demonstrated “exceptional leadership, innovation and impact” which landed him one of the headline awards at the ceremony held on after the first day of this year’s Sentech Africa Tech Week summit, held in Cape Town.
Batanidza Technologies describes itself as a link between people, organisations and technology, offering innovative solutions such as AI software-testing and IT resource augmentation. The company has achieved rapid growth over the last six years driven by Oscar’s extensive experience in ICT consulting, business development, and strategic growth.
“I founded Batanidza to create a consulting business where people felt seen, valued, and impactful. The journey has been anything but linear, but it’s been rich with purpose.”
We found from Oscar what inspires him, what the biggest lesson in his career is, and more.
Congratulations on winning the Tech Founder of the Year award. What does winning the award mean to you and your organisation?
Winning this award is deeply meaningful, not just for me, but for everyone at Batanidza Technologies. It’s a powerful affirmation that purpose-driven leadership matters, and that building with heart, with people in mind, and with Ubuntu at the core, can lead to real success. This recognition is also a tribute to my team, most of whom are women, who have carried our vision forward with excellence, grace, and grit. For us, this award is not the finish line; it’s fuel for the road ahead.
Read: The full list of winners from 2025 Africa Tech Awards
Please tell us about your journey, how did you get to this point in your career?
I started as a junior software tester nearly two decades ago. Back then, I was just eager to learn and earn my place in a fast-paced industry. Over the years, I climbed the ranks through roles in QA, project delivery, business development, and eventually strategic planning. But I always felt a disconnect in many environments, consultants were often treated like numbers. That discomfort became my drive. I founded Batanidza to create a consulting business where people felt seen, valued, and impactful. The journey has been anything but linear, but it’s been rich with purpose.
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your journey and how have you been able to apply them?
The biggest lesson? Success without people is empty. I’ve learned that culture eats strategy every day, if your people aren’t aligned with your purpose, no strategy will hold. I’ve also learned to trust timing; growth doesn’t always come as fast as we’d like, but consistency compounds. At Batanidza, we applied these lessons by building a culture that prioritizes inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. We don’t just hire skills, we hire values. That’s helped us scale sustainably and build a brand that people trust.
What inspires you to do what you do?
I’m inspired by the possibility of creating real, lasting change, especially in communities that have historically been left behind by the tech economy. Every project we deliver, every consultant we mentor, every job we create, it all contributes to something bigger than ourselves. Seeing someone grow into their potential because they were given an opportunity, that drives me. I believe that technology should be a tool for empowerment, and I wake up every day with a deep sense of purpose knowing that Batanidza is helping to build a more inclusive, more connected future for Africa.
What do you believe are the major trends we should be looking out for in the next few years?
The next few years will be shaped by AI integration, cloud-first strategies, and automated testing at scale, but beyond the tech, the bigger trend will be human-centered innovation. The companies that will lead are those that can blend emerging tech with empathy, ethics, and relevance to local needs. I also believe inclusive hiring and digital access in underserved communities will become not just moral imperatives, but competitive differentiators. The future is digital, yes, but it must also be deeply human.
