Speaking at the Zimbabwe AWS User Group and What It Reminded Me About Technology

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the Zimbabwe AWS User Group in Harare. It was my first time speaking in person at this community, and I walked into the session excited but also curious about what would resonate most with the audience.

Very quickly, one thing became clear.
Most of the interest in the room was around careers.

The majority of questions were not about passing exams or memorising services. People wanted to know how to actually get into AWS. How to start. What the first step should be. What roles exist. How long the journey realistically takes. How to move from learning into real work.

That stood out to me.

It told me that many people are not just exploring technology casually. They are thinking seriously about their futures and how AWS can fit into that picture.

A lot of the questions came from young people who were clearly motivated but unsure about direction. Some were already studying. Others were self learning. Some were switching careers entirely. The common thread was curiosity mixed with uncertainty. And that is a very familiar place to be.

I recognised myself in many of those questions. I remember what it feels like to want to enter the cloud space but not know where to begin or what path makes sense. It reminded me that the hardest part of the journey is often not learning the technology, but navigating the early decisions.

Another theme that kept coming up was AI. People wanted to understand how AI fits into cloud careers, which models matter, and whether focusing on AI now makes sense. What I appreciated was that these questions were thoughtful. People were not chasing trends blindly. They were trying to understand context and long term value.

What these conversations reinforced for me is that communities like this are essential. They create safe spaces for people to ask questions without fear. They allow learning to happen out loud. They also reveal where the real gaps are, and right now, the biggest gap is guidance.

Because of that, I am genuinely looking forward to mentoring some of the individuals I met. Not in a formal sense, but through continued conversations, guidance, and shared learning. Growth in tech does not happen overnight, and having someone help you think through options can make a huge difference.

I am also excited about hosting hands on workshops where people can move beyond theory and actually build. This is something that came up repeatedly during the event. People are hungry for practical exposure, for real environments, and for opportunities to apply what they are learning.

I am grateful that Ushauri Consulting has extended its offices to host some of these sessions. Having a physical space where people can come together to learn, ask questions, and experiment is incredibly valuable. It turns interest into action.

I left the event feeling optimistic. Not because everything is solved, but because the intent is there. The curiosity is there. The willingness to learn is there. With mentorship, structure, and practical exposure, that energy can turn into real skills and real careers.

If there is one takeaway from this experience, it is this. The future of AWS and technology in Zimbabwe will not be shaped by tools alone. It will be shaped by people, by communities, and by those willing to support others as they start their journeys.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak, but even more grateful for the conversations that followed.