Cosmo City man behind Durban July tech
Cosmo City-based Sekele Serote began his tech journey in a school lab with Pac-Man. Today, he designs major systems powering high-pressure national events.
Sekele Serote, a proud resident of Cosmo City, has come a long way from the quiet village of Ga-Mochadi and the small town of Monsterlus, where he spent his early years. Today, he plays a key role as a senior software developer in building and maintaining the large technology systems that keep major events, like the Durban July, running smoothly.
His first taste of technology came in 1995 at St Mark’s College in Jane Furse. As a young boy in Standard 5 (Grade 7), Serote was introduced to computers by an older friend, who would sneak him into the school’s computer lab after hours. “He taught me how to boot up the PC, log in, and, most importantly, how to play Pac-Man. It felt magical.” That early experience sparked a passion that would shape the rest of his life.
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Although Serote initially wanted to become an accountant, his plans changed after reading a newspaper article titled something like ‘Technology is the Future’ in 1999. It inspired him to switch paths and study information and communication technology (ICT) at university. Looking back, he says that decision marked a major turning point in his life.
Living in Cosmo City, Serote says, has also shaped his tech journey. “The daily challenges people face here taught me resilience and the importance of adaptability.” Being close to Gauteng’s vibrant tech environment further pushed him to grow and reach higher.
Serote names several people who have inspired him, including Microsoft’s Charles Simonyi, software expert Scott Hanselman, and local figures like Richard Mogoboya and Nicholas Cook. “Their work has taught me how to approach tech and problem-solving with a sharp and open mind.”
Like many in the tech world, Serote faced big challenges early in his career. “The hardest part was choosing where to focus. Tech is such a wide field. I’m glad I got the chance to work across different industries, it gave me a broad view and helped me become more flexible.”
One area that truly excites Serote is large-scale systems. “Sometimes your work chooses you.” He found joy in solving complex problems and knew this was where he could make the biggest impact.
That passion was put to the test during the Durban July weekend, a massive event that demands strong, reliable systems. “It’s a pressure cooker. We prepared early, testing and checking everything beforehand. On the day, we were ready to step in if anything went wrong, but everything went smoothly, thanks to the team’s planning.”
When it comes to building systems that can handle pressure, Serote shares a valuable lesson: “Design for failure, and build for resilience. You must expect things to go wrong, it’s how you plan for that which matters.”
He recalls one high-pressure moment where a system failed during a busy event. “A key part of the system crashed, but we quickly switched to a backup. The team stayed calm, fixed the issue, and kept everyone informed. It showed how vital good planning and teamwork are.”
Serote’s journey is a story of passion, learning, and steady growth. From a young boy sneaking into a computer lab to a tech expert trusted with national events, he shows us how dedication and curiosity can lead to remarkable achievements, even starting with a simple game of Pac-Man.
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