When Veer Gosai from Fourways first chose to study computer science at Stellenbosch University, he could not have imagined the path it would set him on.

What started as a passion for technology soon turned into a national spotlight moment when he uncovered a massive fraud scheme in the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system.

He made this discovery after realising someone had fraudulently opened a SASSA grant and bank account in his name. He did not keep quiet, breaking news headlines nationwide, prompting calls for action, and disclosing vulnerabilities in a system meant to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable.

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Working with fellow student Joel Cedras, Gosai conducted extensive testing to confirm how the fraud worked. Their findings, later acknowledged by SASSA itself, revealed how easily mass fraud could occur.

“The SRD R370 grant is meant for people who need it most,” Gosai said at the time. “If they’re not getting this, it’s a huge loss and can lead to hunger. I wanted to use my IT skills for good.”

Today, Gosai’s journey has come full circle with his selection to the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2025, in the prestigious Editors’ Choice category.

For him, the recognition is both humbling and motivating.

“It felt surreal and deeply humbling. It’s not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the work I’ve done and the impact it’s had from the SRD grant recipient to the high school student making use of my education platform.”

That platform is Taptic, his education company, which has already surpassed 7m website visits and over 10 000 app downloads.

The next frontier, he says, is a WhatsApp-based chatbot called SA Papers, designed to provide learning resources to more than 100 000 students across South Africa by 2026.

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“Personally, this recognition affirms that the weekends and holidays I’ve sacrificed were worth it. Professionally, it encourages me to keep contributing to society in meaningful ways.”

He credits his parents as his greatest source of inspiration. “They’ve supported me through the lowest lows and the highest highs, offering both financial support and guidance when I needed it most.”

Looking ahead, Gosai says the Mail & Guardian honour gives him more than just visibility – it connects him with a network of fellow change-makers.

“These relationships will allow me to grow as a person and amplify the impact I can make on South Africa.”

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