Inspiration sparks internet innovation

WHEN young Vincent Mabuza sat down in front of a computer for the first time eight years ago he was instantly hooked.

The endless possibilities of the web enthralled Mabuza, 23, whose only knowledge of the internet at the time was watching technology shows on television.

Now the Mpumalanga-born-and-based candidate attorney has joined the worldwide boom in technology-savvy entrepreneurs who are creating web-based applications.

The introduction of user-friendly applications for cellphones and wireless hand-held tablets has paved the way for a whole new generation of tech whizz-kids.

Mabuza is the creator of Qooh.me (Qme), a web application which allows users to ask each other anonymous questions.

Since its launch in May last year, the application, which can also be accessed through cellphones and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, has attracted 298000 users in South Africa.

Mabuza said his interest in the development of web technology was sparked when he was 11 years old.

''I used to wake up at 4am every day to watch this web technology show on CNN and I just fell in love with it," he said. But Mabuza had to wait until he was 16 before he came face-to-face with a computer.

''From there I caught on. I bought a book, studied it and bought myself a second-hand PC and that was it ... I started customising it and [upgrading] it," said Mabuza.

The idea for Qme, he said, was based on a similar service offered in the US, the UK and Eastern Europe. He decided to localise the product and develop it for the South African market.

''I wanted it to create a buzz and I started researching what goes behind building a web service. It's very complex and I had to research the various types of computer languages," he said.

Mabuza used internet discussion forums to recruit the right people to help build his vision.

''It still hasn't gone mainstream but my goal is to have it become a household name. When it has enough users I can then launch other products,'' he said. ''My duty is to find the right people to implement my goals ... to find people who are good at it," he said, admitting he knows "jack" about coding.

"But I know what powers the site. I'm sort of a director of the whole thing. I have this [idea] in my head and I want to bring it to life,'' Mabuza said.

But he also knew it was important to get a tertiary education and decided to study law at the University of Johannesburg.

He said those he admired included self-made billionaire Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin empire; the late co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs; and former Facebook president Sean Parker.

''Jobs made electronics fashionable. He made art out of electronic products while [Microsoft CEO Bill] Gates is a hustler. He is brilliant and I admire him for that," Mabuza said.

He hopes one day to be counted among the icons of modern technology.

His plans include launching his own start-up company when he completes his law training in April next year.

''There's so much stuff I want to do, I wish there was four of me," he said.

"I'm working on some e-commerce apps because I want to offer South African consumers something different. I would like it if 70% of the population could not live without using internet products from South Africa,'' said Mabuza.