Instructors & Mentors
At Zaio, teaching is led by experienced practitioners who combine academic rigor with industry experience. Our instructors and mentors guide learners through real projects, structured feedback, and personalised support - ensuring graduates develop job-ready skills and professional confidence.
Our Teaching Philosophy
We emphasise:
Rigor with relevance
Evidence-based teaching aligned to current industry practice.
Project-based learning
Real deliverables, code reviews, and iterative improvement.
Individual support
Scheduled office hours, 1:1 mentorship, and structured feedback loops.
Career outcomes
Portfolio development and professional networking.
Meet Our Instructors
Experienced practitioners who bring real-world expertise to the classroom

Asif Hassam
Senior Software Developer
Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Agentic AI, Langchain
Credentials:
BScEng Electrical and Computer Engineering (UCT); AWS Certified Developer
Bio:
+Asif is a seasoned full-stack engineer with expertise spanning React, Node.js, AWS, and modern AI frameworks. A graduate of the University of Cape Town with a BScEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, he has worked on projects integrating LangChain, LLM Ops, and AI agents into production systems. Asif brings a practical, hands-on approach to teaching, focusing on helping students build scalable applications while mastering the fundamentals of AI-driven development. Learners can expect a balance of technical depth, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving strategies in his classes.

Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Full Stack Web development
Credentials:
International University of Applied Sciences, Bsc Computer Science; AWS Certified Developer
Bio:
+Johann holds a BSc in Computer Science from the International University of Applied Sciences and is an AWS Certified Developer. He has extensive experience across full-stack systems, from React and Node.js to enterprise platforms like ASP.NET and Spring Boot. Johann has contributed to large-scale software projects in both startup and corporate environments, giving him a broad perspective on best practices in software engineering. His teaching style emphasizes clean architecture, maintainability, and teamwork. Students in his Full Stack Web Development bootcamp benefit from his ability to bridge theory with the realities of professional software delivery.

Akhil Boddu
Senior Software Developer
Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Full Stack AI Engineering
Credentials:
BSc(Hons) Electrical and Computer Engineering (UCT); AWS Certified Developer
Bio:
+Akhil is a UCT-trained Computer Scientist with a strong foundation in full-stack engineering and applied AI. His professional background includes building and deploying AI-enhanced web applications using tools like LangChain, LangGraph, and HuggingFace. Akhil is especially passionate about the intersection of software engineering and artificial intelligence, guiding students through the complexities of creating AI-powered applications. In the classroom, he is known for breaking down complex ideas into actionable steps, ensuring learners build confidence while working on ambitious projects. His focus is on preparing graduates for the fast-evolving world of AI engineering.

Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Full Stack Web Development
Credentials:
BSc Information Science - University of Pretoria; AWS Certified Developer
Bio:
+Kago is a full-stack developer with deep expertise in React, Node.js, AWS, and database systems, as well as advanced work in AI agents and LLM Ops. With a degree from the University of Pretoria and AWS certification, he has been involved in developing scalable, cloud-based applications for diverse industries. Kago's teaching approach prioritises industry relevance and practical skills, ensuring learners can move from concept to deployment confidently. Students value his clarity in explaining complex systems and his commitment to helping each learner graduate with a strong portfolio and market-ready skill set.

Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Full Stack Web Development
Credentials:
University of the Witwatersrand, Bachelor's degree, Mathematics
Bio:
+Siphiwe is a mathematics graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand who transitioned into the world of data science and software development. He has worked across projects combining data analysis, machine learning, and full-stack systems, giving him a unique perspective that blends theory with application. Siphiwe's expertise includes Python, Data Analysis and engineering, SQL, and modern AI frameworks. His teaching philosophy centres on equipping students with both analytical and coding skills to thrive in data-driven roles. Learners can expect rigorous problem-solving exercises and a strong focus on building end-to-end solutions.

Areas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Full Stack Web Development
Credentials:
University of the People, Bsc Computer Science
Bio:
+Tinashe is an experienced cybersecurity analyst with a background in digital forensics and systems protection. Holding a BSc in Computer Science from the University of the People, he has worked extensively in monitoring, incident response, and forensic investigation. Beyond cybersecurity, Tinashe is skilled in full-stack development and cloud systems, giving him a rare ability to approach security from both an engineering and investigative lens. His teaching focuses on hands-on labs and applied security practices, helping students understand not only how to build systems, but also how to secure and defend them against modern threats.

Ketro Sithole
Tech Lead | Senior BI Developer | Senior Data Engineer | DevOps Engineer
LinkedIn ProfileAreas of Expertise:
Courses Taught:
Data Science
Credentials:
University of Pretoria - Bachelor's degree, Computer Science; UCT MSc Engineering, Systems Engineering
Bio:
+Ketro is a seasoned data scientist with extensive experience working across South Africa's leading financial institutions. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to advanced analytics and machine learning projects in more than three major banks, applying data-driven solutions to areas such as risk modelling, customer insights, and process automation. His expertise spans Python, SQL, and modern machine learning frameworks, with a strong emphasis on deploying models in production environments. Ketro's teaching approach bridges academic knowledge with practical industry application, ensuring students gain both the technical depth and business context required for careers in data science.
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