BlackOak navigates the tech industry with zeal
BOTSWANA GUARDIAN: BlackOak operates in the diverse tech sector. As a company, what areas are you specifically focused on?
FLORENCE CHILISA: We are very passionate about technology and how it can be leveraged for a better quality of life in business. That is why we put significant emphasis on digital transformation where we help businesses harness the power of emerging technologies and adapt to the ever evolving digital landscape. For instance, when we talk of process automation, BlackOak through bespoke system development, can enable businesses to eliminate manual tasks and streamline operations.
This ultimately results in increased efficiency, cost savings and improved accuracy and quality. We also take great pride in getting to know customers' business all around which really helps us serve them better. For example, we have just recently released a new product, our contactless business cards, packaged to offer you a stylish card that will also enhance your professionalism and networking experience, and quite frankly make you look cool.
GUARDIAN: According to available official records, BlackOak was formed way back in 2013, making it ten years old this year. Explain in detail the journey that the entity has endured this far? CHILISA: BlackOak’s journey has been nothing short of interesting since the beginning. It has been a rollercoaster of experimenting, learning, challenges and milestones.
The company was founded by entrepreneurs with a shared passion for technology and a desire to make a difference in the tech industry, this country and beyond. And work tirelessly towards achieving this vision. We started off as Team BlackOak, entering into various competitions and hackathons.
And won quite a number of them! This was exciting and encouraging to us as we realised that we not only loved what we did, but there could be a real route to market. Our ambition grew from there to make an enterprise out of our skills and passion. It's important to note when we started we had like 2 clients and were riding on a dream, literally knocking on doors looking to be seen. Then eventually the 2 clients turned into 4 and we quickly captured the attention of clients and industry experts alike. All through, and proudly so, word of mouth.
We had a breakthrough when we received sponsorship to develop My Thabang. My Thabang was a multilingual edutainment game. With that we got real life experience not just in development, but the management of public funds and project management. We have since successfully closed that project, and are looking forward to exciting spin off products in the My Thabang series. As the years passed, we evolved and adapted, embracing the needs of the local market with our diversified product and service offerings. It must be said that it has not been without its challenges. The pandemic, for instance, was not kind to us, as with many businesses. We were however able to bounce back and here we are, a full office and many more dreams to come.
GUARDIAN: Why did the BlackOak founders decide to venture into this manly-dominated sector, which is also highly competitive?
CHILISA: Well, I think we can maybe say that tech chose us from a very young age too, and not us choosing it. From a young age, we were captivated by the world of computers and knew we wanted our careers to revolve around them. We both studied Computer Science and it became fairly obvious after some years that we should take the entrepreneurial leap and venture into the tech industry.
And in all honesty, we have never thought of it as male dominated. We were just led by our drive to make a meaningful mark in the industry we are passionate about. We are determined to create a tech company that has impact. That is what keeps pushing us to be the very best at what we do. That said, we are very aware that we may give little girls’ inspiration to pursue their dreams.
That we help them to break stereotypes and empower them to endeavour into unconventional fields and enterprises. We hope to continue to encourage and uplift aspiring female techies and entrepreneurs.
GUARDIAN: What kind of courage and inspiration has kept this business going for all these years?
CHILISA: Agility and adaptability. We have faced so many challenges and obstacles in our journey, and being able to pivot or change course depending on what is going on has been our saving grace. We also continue to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and unlearning, allowing us to navigate the ever changing landscape of technology and business.
We also believe that by large, strong partnerships have helped form a solid foundation that has enabled us to navigate this entrepreneurial journey with confidence and resilience. We have also been lucky to have a dedicated team that never ceases to amaze us in building and growing the company, and we learn a lot from each other every day.
GUARDIAN: Which major projects has BlackOak undertaken in recent years?
CHILISA: BlackOak has undertaken several projects that showcased our expertise and contributed to our growth. We have had the great pleasure of being co-developers in the automation of business services in different industries, including Public Revenue, Judicial and quasi-judicial. We have also developed in house an edutainment game designed for young children called My Thabang that takes three characters on a cross country journey around Botswana.
The characters, Thabang, who speaks English, Ditiro who speaks Setswana, and Shati who speaks iKalanga, aim to unlock a sense of wonder and pride in children about their country, culture, and languages through the mobile game. And we are so excited to be bringing the colouring book based on My Thabang to the shelves.
GUARDIAN: What competitive edge does the company holds? CHILISA: Our client-centric approach to any work we do, whether it is client commissioned work or in-house produced work, aims at making the client shine. We love seeing our clients use our products and services with pride and a complete sense of ownership.
At BlackOak, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, which comes across in our solutions. Through our work, we showcase the exceptional quality that local developers can, and do deliver. As we continue our strive in leveraging modern technology to elevate organisations in the public and private sector, our learning is never over. This allows us to collaborate well and continuously seek the best possible solutions for our clients.
GUARDIAN: Within the broader tech industry, Artificial Intelligence(AI) appears to be taking centre stage. How prepared is BlackOak to this phenomenon that seeks to totally change the tech space forever?
CHILISA: An interesting question as we navigate the forever changing landscape of tech. AI has begun an era of transformation for all industries. It provides an opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, aid in decision making, and reshape customer relations amongst other things.
Through machine learning and deep learning, businesses can gain better insights on their customers, and how to better service them. Whether it is understanding their customer’s behaviour, optimizing strategies, or delivering tailored solutions that resonate with their customers. Leveraging AI, we are here to help clients unleash new possibilities and achieve unprecedented growth. Our qualified and experienced team is available to assist not just in the design and development of scalable solutions but to help our clients navigate the changes that come with disruptive technology.
GUARDIAN: How supportive has the government been to this company?
CHILISA: We couldn’t be more excited about the new chapter the country is taking in engaging local tech companies in development. By allowing us to be part of the conversation and development, the Government has made it possible for us to realise our dreams of being able to allow our work alone to speak for itself. This will surely help to cultivate an environment that is conducive to growth and innovation in the field, and drive technological advancements.
GUARDIAN: What is the importance of companies such as BlackOak to a developing economy like Botswana which is seeking to become a knowledge based economy-highly diverse and digitally transformed?
CHILISA: First and foremost, companies like ours are at the forefront of driving advancements in various sectors through technology. Efforts are being made, through organs such as GovOnline to foster co-creation and open innovation, and therefore create a vibrant tech ecosystem. This consequently encourages local talent to flourish.
We are proud to play our part in developing the economy and our country’s endeavour to become knowledge based and digitally transformed. As a tech company, we generate employment opportunities for a wide range of professionals, especially in the tech field. We are proud to be nurturing and empowering local talent and professionals.
Our BlackOak team is composed of budding minds that are dedicated to the work and believe in the synergy of ideas to see a project through. Additionally, our collaborations with local businesses and start-ups create a ripple effect, fostering the growth of the broader tech ecosystem.
GUARDIAN: In Botswana, the tech sector, although still at a developmental stage, is surely worth millions of Pula. Will you be kind enough to tell us BlackOak’s share of this market in Pula terms?
CHILISA: We have since inception been mostly focused on making our presence known in the tech industry which as you say is at development stages. While we cannot disclose financial details, we are however proud to be part of the growing tech sector. We can assure you that we continue to actively contribute to its growth, development, and overall value.
GUARDIAN: Sustainability and ESG are all important elements of corporates like BlackOak. What are some of the projects the company has taken that are focused on giving back to the community and strengthening corporate governance systems?
CHILISA: At BlackOak, we strongly believe in social responsibility, sustainability and environmental stewardship, and strong corporate governance. That is why we actively engage in projects and initiatives that resonate these values. For example, the My Thabang game fundamentals are embracing diversity in local cultures and inclusivity.
We have formed partnerships and collaborations that have allowed us to participate in teaching coding to children in primary schools to enhance their problem-solving skills and encourage an interest in technology. We are thrilled by our recent giveaway, which was to provide a handful of female entrepreneurs with a free website and email hosting.
These are just some of the steps we have taken, anchored on providing an ecosystem for upcoming entrepreneurs to equip themselves with tools that increase their market value and professionalise their endeavours. We also have an exciting partnership in the works that aims to bring services such as web development closer to people who would otherwise find them difficult or cumbersome to access.
GUARDIAN: Are there any plans to expand beyond Botswana’s borders?
CHILISA: Absolutely! BlackOak strongly believes that our method of working can allow our clients to be anywhere in the world and we are working very hard to put in place structures and processes that will allow our products and services to be delivered beyond the boundaries of the borders. Again, watch this space.
GUARDIAN: Where will BlackOak be in the next ten years?
CHILISA: We hope that as a company we would have grown in leaps and bounds to become a prominent player in the tech industry. Our goal is to grow with the tech industry in Botswana and continue to feed into it, and make a mark globally through continuing to innovate, offering cutting edge technology solutions and helping to drive the industry forward. We are glad to see so many countries taking an interest in Botswana, and we intend to take full advantage of this by welcoming new industries into our service pool.