Steyn Kalala

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I work as a software architect and engineer at Ogiven. I'm also scaling my startup, Esdantis, and running operations for my charity, Bantucode. With over 16 years of coding experience, I've developed software that enhances operations across the sales, medical, and manufacturing industries.

I'm also a writer, artist, amateur economist, former aspiring pro skateboarder, teacher, and family man.

What Skateboarding Taught Me

Skateboarding has taught me valuable lessons that go beyond the sport itself. Every fall is an opportunity to learn, and every failed attempt reminds me that persistence is key. I've learned to get back up after falling and to keep trying until I land a trick, no matter how many times it takes. This mindset of resilience, patience, and determination has shaped how I approach all challenges.

Why I studied Art

I chose to study art because I've always admired the great polymaths of the Renaissance—people who blended science, mathematics, and creativity into one happy pursuit of knowledge. Mathematics, particularly geometry, has always been my favourite subject, and I wanted to understand how artists used those same principles to create harmony and balance in their work. Learning to draw and think like an artist has helped me develop a more creative and multidimensional mind, allowing me to approach problem-solving and innovation with greater imagination. You can even check out and buy some of my art on Esdantis.

Creator of Ogiven

Ogiven is a software development company dedicated to helping businesses thrive through innovative and reliable technology solutions. We specialize in building custom software that streamlines operations, enhances productivity, and drives growth. Our team works closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and deliver scalable, high-performance applications that simplify complex processes. At Ogiven, we believe great software isn't just about code—it's about empowering companies to do better business every day.

Creator of Esdantis

Esdantis is an art-selling social media platform I created to help artists make a living by sharing and selling their work more effectively. The platform connects artists directly with buyers, allowing them to showcase their art, build a following, and turn their creativity into income. Esdantis is designed to empower artists by giving them the tools and visibility they need to grow their audience, sell more art, and sustain their passion through meaningful engagement and opportunity.

Creator of Bantucode

I created Bantucode , a charitable initiative dedicated to providing access to computing technology for individuals who lack the means to learn coding. Through Bantucode, we supply devices, training, and mentorship to help people gain valuable programming skills. Our program also integrates AI education, empowering learners to understand and apply modern technologies in real-world projects. The goal of Bantucode is to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for aspiring programmers to build a better future through technology and innovation.

Sharing Knowledge

I love teaching and sharing knowledge, which I do through two YouTube channels. On one channel, I explore African economics and African economic history, helping viewers understand the forces shaping the continent today. On the other channel, I teach software development, including mobile app development using Swift, Kotlin, and TypeScript/JavaScript; web development using React-Nextjs; API development using NodeJs, Django, and GIN/GO; and DevOps practices across all major cloud providers. Teaching allows me to empower others with practical skills and a deeper understanding of technology and economics.