Who is Suwilotichi ‘Su’ Simwanza?
What is something people usually don’t know about you but has influenced you in who you are?
I am an introvert. Nerdy, enjoy solitary activities, love super hero movies (although I am picky) and love reading a good fantasy-action-romance novel (Ilona Andrews is my favorite).
What would have become of you, if you were not doing the job you do today?
I would probably be working on becoming a full time lecturer and the University of Johannesburg. I completed my Masters for that specific purpose.
What is your biggest challenge and why is it a good thing for you?
My biggest challenge that I am hardest on myself. Its good in that it keeps me humble however it is a double edged sword as requires a bit more effort to see the good over the bad.
What do you currently do and how did you end up in your current role?
Scrum master.
I got introduced to agile 6 years ago when the company i was working for decided to ‘go agile’. I met my first agile coach, Reneshan through that who guided me in my first year on a scrum team. Later on, the company stopped taking on agile projects which meant I could not be a scrum master anymore. I stayed for 2 more years before deciding to restart my career as an intern in order to reach my goals. I applied for the DVT Scrum Master Apprenticeship Program and met Carlize Bosch through it. She provided me with the opportunity to grow and expand my skills as a Scrum Master.
She introduced me to my second Agile Coach Justin and it is through through them that I ended up up at Discovery.
What do you think is the one thing we can do to improve diversity in the Agile community?
Be Less Judgmental, Make No Assumptions and Cultivate Inner Peace. I find that even as agile practitioners we find ourselves at war discussing which framework is better, which approach to a framwork is better and which frameowk sucks. In my mind, it seems like we are so rigid about it which is in direct opposition to the ‘agile mindset’ that we all profess to have.
What additional question do you think we should ask and what is the answer to that question?
What is one regret you have in your agile career? Not focsuing on the small wins and spending too much time worrying about what is not working. This held me back from seeing th progress that was made by my teams.
Who do you think we should feature next (in South Africa)?
Basane Hlabyago (https://www.linkedin.com/in/basane-ringane-hlabyago-9a466527/)
What are some reasons that made you recommend the person above?
We both gave our first talks at the SUGSA meetup on the same day. I remember listening to her experiencing and relating to the challenge that we as have to listen more to our teams and the environments that we are charged with coaching.
How would you define your relationship with the South African Agile community?
Growing every day. I would not have been where I am today if it was not for the support, encouragement and learning that I have recieved from this agile community. It is one of the reasons why I signed up to be part of the SUGSA committee. I wanted to do my part to give back and grow the community. I also want to bring the community closer to students who are still completing their studies.
What is the last thing you read, watched or listened to that inspired you?
I am a sucker for korean and chinese dramas. Anything you watch there will have a life lesson or 2 to take with you. One of them being even a villian can be redeemed given the chance.
Johannesburg, September 2020
How to connect with Suwilotichi
Linked In: za.linkedin.com/in/suwilo-simwanza-43a7121b