Mustapha Baboo

Current Position:

Founder & Director, Maxxor Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd (2004 – present) (www.maxxor.com). Maxxor is a provider of software development, web development and online marketing services that employs more than 30 people. Maxxor is a previous national winner in the SAB Kickstart entrepreneurial development competition, has been nominated as one of South Africa's Top Emerging Empowerment Companies in the Software sector by Impumelelo, and nominated for the Department of Science and Technologies' TT100 (Technology Top 100) awards in 2009. In 2010, Maxxor was ranked 5th in Michael Porter’s AllWorld Network South African FastGrow 100.
Previously business systems manager at UUNET South Africa.

Qualifications:

BBusSci (Finance) (Hons)(UCT) plus numerous business and management training courses, and IT certifications (including Paypal, Sun, CISCO and IBM)

Motivation for standing:

My experience with my own company has given me an intimate knowledge of what it takes to launch a new technology business in South Africa, and Cape Town specifically. I believe I can bring a first-hand insight into what developmental assistance can and should be offered to ICT entrepreneurs and ICT businesses in the region. I've always been passionate about people development in the form of both formal and on-the-job training. I've been involved in IT training initiatives for many years. My company currently runs several internship programmes both for ourselves and clients. We have empowered dozens of previously disadvantaged youngsters and helped them kick-start their careers in the IT space. I would hope to continue this kind of work in my involvement with CITI, especially considering CITI's potential collaboration with ISETT SETA.

Other involvements:

• 2009 to present: Ambassador for Project Lungisela (www.mamelani.org.za), a youth development programme. I assist with finding learnership and internship opportunities for these youth.
• 2010: Served as a judge for the Cape Town Entrepreneurship competition and regional leg of Enablis Launchpad competition