On 14 November 2024, I embarked on an early morning trip from Harare to Johannesburg to attend GitHub Constellation. By 9:15 AM, slightly sleepy but filled with anticipation, I was at the event venue, ready to immerse myself in a day dedicated to learning, sharing, and connecting with fellow tech enthusiasts.
What is GitHub Constellation?
GitHub Constellation is GitHub's in-person developer conference, designed to celebrate and uplift regional developer communities. The Johannesburg edition marked the first-ever Constellation event held in Africa. With a focus on AI, Collaboration, Community, and Security, the event was a condensed yet powerful version of GitHub Universe, featuring talks, workshops, networking opportunities, and a hackathon.
My Role as a GitHub Campus Expert
As a GitHub Campus Expert representing Zimbabwe, I was thrilled to participate in this event. GitHub Campus Experts are student leaders dedicated to creating inclusive tech spaces where skills are shared, projects are built, and diverse perspectives thrive. It was an honor to connect with others who are as passionate about community-building as I am.
Event Highlights
With over 400 attendees, including a delegation from GitHub’s U.S. offices, the event showcased the vibrancy of the South African developer ecosystem. The talks and workshops addressed pressing topics in tech, from AI's transformative potential to strategies for fostering collaboration and innovation.
Here are some of the sessions that stood out to me:
Keynote: The Future of Software Development
Delivered by Thomas Dohmke, GitHub’s CEO, this session painted an inspiring picture of the software development landscape shaped by AI and open-source collaboration.Panel: All In for Open Source Africa
Moderated by Ruth Ikegah and featuring Zimbabweans Kudzayi Bamhare and Gamuchirai Blessing Muchafa, this panel highlighted how GitHub programs empower developers to contribute to open-source projects and innovate within their local communities.GitHub Copilot Training by Adeyinka Oresanya
This hands-on workshop provided insights into harnessing GitHub Copilot for enhanced productivity, showcasing its potential for developers at all skill levels.From Code to Culture: Nedbank's Developer-Led Copilot Transformation
Presented by Louis Werth, this session explored how Nedbank integrated AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot to revolutionize their development processes, offering valuable lessons for enterprises embracing AI.
Community & Collaboration
One of the event's most inspiring aspects was its celebration of community. The hackathon, organized in collaboration with Geekulcha—a South African platform connecting over 30,000 tech enthusiasts—provided a space for creativity and innovation. I had the privilege of informally mentoring a team, witnessing firsthand the incredible ideas taking shape.
Additionally, meeting key figures such as Thomas Dohmke, April Yoho, and Demetris Cheatham, alongside fellow GitHub Campus Experts like Brayan Mwanyumba, was a highlight. The conversations I had with peers, including Gamuchirai Muchafa, Christine Khumbane and Amohelang Tsotetsi, were both insightful and motivating.
Reflections
Events like GitHub Constellation are a testament to the power of collaboration and the role community plays in driving technological progress. They remind us that tech is not just about code but about people—innovators, mentors, and dreamers—coming together to shape the future.
A special thank-you to P.J. Metz and Andrea Griffiths for making my travel possible and to Geekulcha for their outstanding collaboration.
Next on my journey is GitHub Field Day Kigali, and I can’t wait to continue building, learning, and contributing to this vibrant ecosystem.
Here’s to more opportunities to grow and inspire within the global tech community!