About
Hey, I'm TK.
Software Engineer. TEDx Speaker. Someone who figured out the system by breaking through it.
But that's certainly not how it started.
In 2021, I was rejected from every university I applied to in South Africa.
That rejection could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became the beginning.
I enrolled at a private institution, threw myself into software engineering, and decided that if the traditional doors were locked, I'd learn how to build my own. I graduated with 19 module distinctions, served on the Student Representative Council for Academics, and landed a job as a Software Engineer — ironically, at the same institution that gave me a chance when the public system couldn't.
Along the way, I shared my journey publicly on LinkedIn. Not because I had it figured out, but because I knew other students were going through the same thing and feeling alone. That community grew to over 10,000 people.
Why I Do This
I remember what it felt like to have no one in my corner.
I remember the confusion of navigating applications with no guidance. I remember sending CVs into the void and wondering if something was wrong with me. I remember the fear that maybe I just wasn't cut out for this.
I was lucky. I had enough stubbornness to keep going, and eventually I found the information and the people who helped me through. But I know most students don't make it past that point — not because they lack talent, but because they lack access to the playbook.
That's what FlyQuest is. The playbook I wish someone had given me.
Background
EDUCATION
BSc IT — Software Engineering
19 Module Distinctions
CAREER
Software Engineer
Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Power Pages
SPEAKING
TEDx Speaker
University of Pretoria
RECOGNITION
Elevate Africa Top 25
Speaker (2025)
HONOURS
Golden Key Member
International Honour Society
LEADERSHIP
SRC — Academics Portfolio
Student Representative Council
The Mission
FlyQuest exists to make sure no student navigates tertiary education and early career alone.
By giving them the playbook, the tools, and the presence the system never provided. It starts with me, but it's built to outlast me.
WHAT I BELIEVE
"There is no lack of answers in the world. But there is a clear shortage of people willing to ask the questions."
Want Me to Share This With Your Students?
I speak at universities, conferences, and youth events.
If you're looking for someone to talk to your students about navigating education, career readiness, or building resilience when the system isn't built for you — let's chat.