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Nine years of
Future Made Here
From a Johannesburg start-up in 2017 to a talent-to-productivity engine with 65,000+ people in its pipeline. This is the journey, told through the people who made it.
Two technologists, one question
Why does Africa have so much potential, and so little of it reaching productive digital work? Lubabalo Dyantyi and Baxolile Mabinya founded Deviare in Johannesburg to build the pathway between the two.
Global platforms, local purpose
From the start, the founders took Deviare onto global technology stages, including Google Cloud Next in 2018, to bring world-class cloud and AI capability home to South African talent.
Taking learning to learners
In November 2019, a solar-powered container lab brought digital learning to where young people live, rather than asking them to travel to it. It set the pattern for the mobile and container labs that followed.
Proving it at scale
Microsoft-sponsored training reached 545 people across AI, Azure, software development and cybersecurity in up to five provinces. At the same time, a MICT SETA-funded 4IR Skills Programme trained 1,000 learners in data science, coding, AI, robotics and cloud.
Growing local digital economies
Deviare worked alongside provincial innovation networks, government, universities and industry to grow digital skills where they are needed most, including in the Eastern Cape.
From classrooms to industry
Sasol’s 4IR Bridge to Work took software, AI, drone piloting and robotics to Secunda, Sasolburg and Witbank, and Sasol added two more cohorts. Mimecast extended its reskilling partnership into a virtual internship for young people with disabilities.
Graduates become colleagues
Sasol celebrated its Bridge to Work graduates. SARS absorbed every graduate from its first two cohorts. The ECDC placement programme matched learners with 12 employers, and Liquid’s young entrepreneurs earned 40 certifications and launched ventures such as ProLink.
Closer to communities
A digital computer laboratory opened with Microsoft in October 2024, and new cohorts formed at hubs such as the Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub in the North West.
Inside the enterprise
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, visited a Deviare lab in March 2025. Diana went from our interprovincial internship to Graduate Software Engineer at the PIC, where a cloud, analysis and development brief moved from request to deployed talent in 48 hours.
A new lab, a new cohort
In January 2026, a new lab built with Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Microsoft, and driven by Deviare, arrived on site. By April, a new cohort was learning data, AI and digital skills inside it.
One engine, three outcomes
65,000+ people in the pipeline, 15,000+ trained and certified, and a rating of “Outstanding” from the ECDC. Skills Factory, IT Services and the Global Capability Centre now work as one engine.
Build the next chapter with us
Gallery
Moments from the journey
