On the final day of our field trip to South Africa, we visited Monkey & River, a digital consulting company based in Centurion. While some may have hoped for one last safari, the visit offered something equally insightful: a deep dive into human-centred software engineering within the South African context. 

Founded in 2015, Monkey & River employs just under 40 people and specialises in user-centred software development and digital transformation. The session was led by co-founder Jacques Brosens and Head of Delivery Ashley Mathew Gwangwadza, who shared practical insights into how they combine business analysis, UX/UI design, and engineering to deliver meaningful digital solutions. 

Their approach starts with deep discovery and analysis, followed by iterative design, development, and deployment. They offer full outsourcing, teams-as-a-service, and individual placements, alongside long-term maintenance and support. 

We heard how Monkey & River supported We Buy Cars with a tailored ERP solution to streamline operations. A particular highlight was the MoyaPay mobile wallet, developed together with MoyaApp. We even had a short client-side presentation outlining the platform’s success and its growth to millions of users in South Africa. This external perspective reinforced the impact of Monkey & River’s long-term partnership approach. 

They also introduced AZI User Testing, a platform that enables structured user validation early in the development process, strengthening their human-centred methodology. 

During the Q&A, we discussed South Africa’s potential as an offshoring destination, highlighting strong technical talent and cultural alignment with Europe, alongside challenges such as energy instability and skills shortages. Another key topic was scaling sustainably, maintaining company culture, investing in graduates, and growing deliberately rather than rapidly. 

Overall, the visit demonstrated how Monkey & River combine technical expertise with a strong human-centred mindset, delivering impactful digital solutions while navigating the realities of the South African market. 

https://monkeyandriver.com/

Today we visited the BMW IT Hub next to Pretoria. Meeting different department managers gave us the opportunity to get a broad overview of what BMW‘s IT hub in South Africa is responsible for.

Founded in 2004, the IT Hub specialises on Business Processes rather than on-vehicle software. The approximate 2‘600 employees are responsible for software used across all business processes within BMW in over 134 countries - from IT support ticketing, production plant machinery support tickets to integration of different software applications (of which there are over 3'000!) to the SAP and ERP software.

Even though the IT Hub in South Africa is not responsible for the IT within the cars, they work very close with the front-end in ensuring smooth IT landscapes within the BMW group. A large focus lies in the enforcement of AI solutions. Programs such as the „AI coffee chat“, where employees can pitch their AI driven ideas, aim to be an incentive in using new AI technologies within BMW.

Many inhouse solutions such as an AI assistant for basic user problems help their employees in handling IT tickets, especially when they are of a „small magnitude“. BMW has an internal knowledge area where over 30'000 articles are published and fused with LLMs to help employees find solutions to problems quickly.

Nevertheless, it was highlighted that their goal is not to substitute employees but rather make their lives easier with AI. Last but not least, BMW‘s importance in South Africa was highlighted due to their long history in the country (first plant outside of Germany was actually opened in 1973, next to Pretoria) together with highly skilled graduates which they want to bring into the company (+100 graduates were employed in 2024 alone) benefiting from motivated and open minded students.

Altogether BMW seemed very structured, efficient and the employees know what direction to go which convinced us, that BMW is at the right place to find capable people for their future endeavours.

https://www.bmwithub.co.za/ 

Today we visited MOYO.co, a South African company that focuses on digital transformation while strongly emphasizing culture, identity, and values. From the beginning, we received a friendly and warm welcome, which created a positive atmosphere for the visit. 

MOYO describes itself with the slogan "Heart of digital change" and the word "MOYO" means "heart." This reflects their people-centered approach to change, which goes beyond technical skills and focuses on purpose and values. At the core of everything MOYO does is data - described internally as the golden thread that connects and runs through all of their services, from consulting and technology solutions to talent development, engineering and business intelligence. 

During the visit, Dr. Pierre le Roux, the Managing Director, shared his vision for the company and explained what MOYO stands for. The team was very open and encouraged us to ask questions, which made the session engaging and informative. 

We also learned about MOYO's background. The company was founded in 2007 in Centurion, Gauteng, expanded to Cape Town in 2012, and has continued to grow beyond South Africa. A key part of this trajectory is their internationalization project: in 2023, MOYO established MOYO International and expanded to Ireland as a first step into Europe. This move is part of a structured 9-year strategy, divided into three phases of three years each, with a clear long-term ambition to build a sustained European presence. 

It was also interesting to see how broad MOYO's services are. They offer digital consulting (such as analytics, business intelligence, software development, AI/ML, data engineering, and enterprise architecture), managed services, technology solutions through partnerships (including Microsoft and Tableau), and talent solutions such as recruitment, training, and mentoring. In addition, MOYO Engineering provides specialized services such as technical audits, energy and water recovery solutions, mining and mineral processing engineering, and nuclear energy solutions. 

The visit was well organized and provided a clear overview of MOYO's culture, international growth ambitions, and broad service offering.

https://moyoafrica.com/ 

As part of the MSc Business Information Systems (BIS) Field Trip 2026 to South Africa, our visit to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) offered an insight into contemporary research practices in the age of artificial intelligence. Hosted at the District Six Campus, the session brought together faculty members, PhD students, and our MSc BIS cohort for an exchange.  

A highlight of the visit was the presentation by Professor Mark Saunders, known for developing the influential “Research Onion” framework. His session on AI in research, framed around the importance of critical thinking, challenged us to reflect on how easily AI tools can shape research outcomes if used uncritically. What surprised many of us was his clear stance that AI should not replace methodological rigor but rather amplify it when applied responsibly. He showed common pitfalls, such as overreliance on generated content and loss of theoretical grounding, while showing how researchers can integrate AI tools ethically and transparently into the research process. 

Valuable was also the exchange with CPUT PhD students, who shared how they currently use AI in their own research projects. This exchange provided an opportunity to compare research cultures and perspectives between Switzerland and South Africa. While we recognized many similarities in methodological approaches based on frameworks like the Research Onion, the discussions also showed differences in research contexts, priorities, and challenges. These conversations were particularly interesting, as they highlighted how diverse academic environments can lead to innovative research questions and solutions. 

Beyond the academic part of the visit, we also engaged in conversations about everyday life in South Africa, including social inequalities and living conditions in townships, which offered us a deeper, more personal understanding of the broader societal environment in which research and higher education take place. 

One takeaway that strongly resonated with us was the focus on maintaining intellectual ownership of one’s research despite increasing technological support. The discussions on thesis examination processes and expectations further reinforced the importance of methodological transparency and critical reflection throughout the research journey. 

www.cput.ac.za 

Visiting the Cullinan Diamond Mine was one of the most intense and unforgettable experiences of our entire trip. Before arriving, we had already been told about the mine’s strict rules, especially the zero-tolerance policy for alcohol. Even though we had been expecting it, the security procedures still felt surprisingly serious. We had to bring our passports, fill out a health questionnaire and undergo several checks before we were allowed anywhere near the mine. From the beginning, it was clear that safety comes first in this environment.

After passing all the controls, we met a geotechnical engineer who explained the underground safety regulations. He reminded us to stay together, follow instructions and rely on our equipment. Hearing this made us feel both excited and slightly nervous. Suddenly, the whole experience felt very real. Then came the gear. We changed into heavy overalls, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves and boots. Each of us also had to carry a breathing device for emergencies, as well as a small machine that would beep if a vehicle came too close. The equipment was heavier than we had expected and even walking around felt like work. We then descended into the mine in an elevator. The moment the doors opened, everything changed. It was dark, loud and incredibly humid. At times, it felt as if there was barely any air to breathe. The floor was wet and muddy, so we had to watch our steps carefully. The noise from the machinery echoed through the tunnels and made it almost impossible to understand what people were saying unless they were right next to us. Standing in one of the world’s most iconic diamond mines felt surreal. The machinery was enormous, the tunnels seemed endless, and we could really appreciate the sheer amount of work and technology involved in diamond extraction. It’s hard to imagine how something so small and shiny could come from such a tough, demanding environment.

Not everyone in our group was permitted to go underground, so some remained above ground and learnt about the mine from there. For those of us who went down, however, the experience was a mixture of fascination, discomfort and deep respect for the people who work there every day.

https://www.petradiamonds.com/ 

Today we took a closer look at Direct Transact, a Pretoria-based fintech infrastructure provider founded in 2002 that describes itself as South Africa’s largest end-to-end Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Payments-as-a-Service (PaaS) partner for banks and corporates. It supports 70% of South Africa’s clearing and settlement banks, processes

more than ZAR 50+ billion per month across 21+ currencies, and reports ~99.99% average uptime.

Direct Transact’s platform brings together core banking (including digital KYC onboarding), card issuing and management, a payments hub, and automated reconciliation and settlement into a single, integrated operating model, exposed via standardised APIs to support both modular builds and full end-to-end launches. Compliance is central to its offering: it operates as a System Operator regulated by the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA), is integrated into the National Payments System, and is certified as an international third-party service provider for both issuing and acquiring services for Visa and Mastercard. A key recent highlight is its Visa collaboration on multi-currency card capabilities (delivered through Vivere) and participation in Visa partner programmes aimed at accelerating compliant fintech product launches.

Seeing Direct Transact’s evolution and footprint today was genuinely informative. The company clearly sits at the centre of South Africa’s banking and payments infrastructure, and it continues to push practical innovation in regulated fintech services.

https://www.directtransact.co.za/ 

We visited the Clara Anna Fontein Lifestyle Estate in Durbanville on the morning of 2nd February 2026, located on the slopes of the Durbanville Hills near Cape Town. The estate is known as one of the more exclusive lifestyle estates in the region and combines modern residential living with the natural surroundings of the area.

At the beginning of the visit, we received a presentation about what is important for the people living in the estate. Security plays a major role in everyday life at Clara Anna Fontein. Residents value the high level of safety provided through controlled access points, surveillance systems, and strict regulations within the estate. It was explained that many residents are willing to give up a certain level of privacy in order to benefit from this security. After this introduction, we attended a second presentation about the restoration of historically significant buildings.

Following the presentations, we had a short tour around parts of the estate. During the walk we were able to see the surrounding landscape as well as some of the facilities available to residents, such as walking paths, and the green open spaces. The estate is designed to offer a comfortable and secure lifestyle within a natural environment.

Overall, the visit provided interesting insights into how some of the wealthier parts of the South African population live. It highlighted the importance of security, exclusivity, and community living within gated estates and showed how these elements are incorporated into contemporary residential developments.

https://www.claraannafontein.co.za/ 

Today we visited Stellenbosch University and their start-up incubator LaunchLab. At the university we got to listen to two presentations. The first was about how technology aCects the human cognitive mind, which was very interesting, as we live in a world today where technology such as smartphones and laptops are a part of our daily lives, yet they remain a distraction through and through. It was therefore interesting to also hear that Professor Daan Le Roux only allows pen and paper in his master's classes in order for his students to be more attentive and involved during lectures. During the second presentation, our thinking was challenged by Professor Jonathan Jansen, who was very passionate about his work. The most important takeaways were that policy based on evidence-based analysis is not always true, that not just empirical but also qualitative information is important, and that doubt is important for decision-making. In this regard, the quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson, which argues that when human behavior is added to scientific equations, systems become non-linear and unpredictable, making sociology significantly harder than physics, was very interesting and memorable. We also learned that there is still a widespread belief that Africa is not capable of producing meaningful scientific work, even though African researchers have contributed greatly to the world.

After lunch we headed to the LaunchLab, a startup incubator program run by Stellenbosch University. We listened to two pitches by former students, who showed us their ideas, explained how the startup process worked, and described how the university helped them get their companies oC the ground. This afternoon made it clear that there is no truth to the notion that no meaningful scientific work is being created here in South Africa, and that South African innovators could in fact be front runners in certain specific fields.

https://www.launchlab.co.za/ 

Our visit to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on 09.02.26 gave us a vivid impression of how South Africa’s economic development is actively shaped by a state-owned yet fully self-sustainable institution. The IDC is government-owned, but it finances itself through its own returns, channeling revenue back into the national treasury rather than relying on public funding. This unique setup positions it somewhere between a bank, an investor, and a long-term development partner.

What stood out immediately was how deeply the IDC immerses itself in the day-to-day reality of the businesses it supports. Before financing, pre-investment teams work closely with entrepreneurs to refine and strengthen their business plans. After funding is granted, a post-investment team continues to accompany the companies, helping them identify risks early on and avoid fallouts. This hands-on approach reflects their broader mission: they only invest in enterprises that create jobs and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s industrial landscape. Energy, infrastructure, and mining currently stand out as their most profitable and strategically important sectors.

The IDC is also deeply committed to driving societal change. They place a strong emphasis on supporting black-owned businesses to help counter structural inequalities. At the same time, the SME sector remains underserved, which is why the IDC has expanded from financing only established firms to actively engaging in micro-finance-style support for promising smaller businesses. From the initial contact to the issuing of credit, the process usually takes around three months, with clear and consistent information flow being crucial. Credits often run over three to five years.

Another fascinating insight was the regional imbalance in South Africa’s economic landscape. Gauteng and the Western Cape host the majority of businesses, while many other regions have significantly fewer opportunities. Beyond financing, the IDC also invests in people: they support high school students, offer learnerships, and accompany young professionals entering the job market.

Overall, the visit showed how development finance can be both strategic and socially driven. The IDC operates with a clear purpose: staying relevant, uplifting society, and fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth.

https://www.idc.co.za/ 

On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, we visited Langa Township in Cape Town. Many of us had already seen it from the bus/car when driving from the airport to the city centre, but this time we experienced it on foot. Langa, meaning “sun” in isiXhosa, is the oldest formal township in Cape Town. It was established mid-1920s under the Urban Areas Act, which enforced racial segregation and forced Black South Africans into designated areas.

Today, townships are home to an estimated 20 to 25 million people across South Africa. Langa itself covers roughly three square kilometres and counts over 200,000 residents, though the actual number is likely higher due to informal housing. In March 1960, it became a starting point for a major anti-apartheid protest against the pass laws. Langa reflects the lasting impact of apartheid spatial planning, while at the same time demonstrating strong resilience and community spirit.

We were guided by Mzu Lembeni from Imzu Tours, whose personal story added depth to the visit. Driven by a strong connection to his roots, he founded his tour company to share the realities and culture of township life. Throughout the tour, the principle of Ubuntu, often translated as “I am because we are,” became tangible. Community, mutual support, and human connection are not abstract concepts here, but lived realities.

Our walking tour took us to the Guga S’Thebe Arts and Culture Centre, where we visited local art creators, and the Langa Heritage Museum, which documents the history of the pass laws. A particularly meaningful part of the afternoon was interacting directly with the community. We played soccer, rugby, and frisbee with local children and experienced the openness and joy that shape everyday life. Some of us helped deliver food at a local soup kitchen, contributing in a small way to community initiatives. These encounters embodied Ubuntu in practice through connection, solidarity, and shared humanity beyond social or geographic boundaries. As a final highlight, we had lunch at Mzansi Restaurant, accompanied by live music played on marimbas, djembes, and other percussion instruments.

The visit to Langa was not only educational but deeply human. It provided insight into South Africa’s history while demonstrating how Ubuntu, resilience, and strong community bonds continue to shape everyday life in the township today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langa,_South_Africa 

In the afternoon of 5 Feb 2026 we visited Shoprite & Checkers, the largest food retailer on the African continent. Andrew, the Chief Supply Chain Officer, and his team welcomed us and provided a detailed presentation about the organization and its group strategies.

Shoprite and Checkers are two of the most important supermarket brands in South Africa and together form part of the Shoprite Group. Checkers was founded in 1956 and later became one of South Africa’s leading supermarket chains. Shoprite was founded in 1979 with a focus on offering affordable groceries. In 1991, the Shoprite Group acquired Checkers, integrating it into its broader retail network.

Andrew shared the main strategic philosophy (DELIVER 365) and the group’s long-term goals. He explained how controlling key parts of the supply chain enhances advantage, accuracy and mitigates risk. He also emphasized the group’s focus on long-term success. His team mentioned that many of them have been with the Group for more than 10 years and described the working environment as being “like a family.”

Following the presentation, Andrew’s team gave us a detailed walkthrough of their warehouses, storage areas including freezer sections and fresh produce rooms, and the logistics ground. On the logistics ground we observed a dashboard that displays daily work achievements, top/bottom pickers, and various performance statistics.

http://shoprite.co.za/ 

Following our visit to Direct Transact earlier that day, we continued to Teraco Data Environments in Johannesburg in the afternoon of the 12th February. Dirk, the Chief Information Security Officer of Data Transact led us to the meeting room and made the opening. Then we were welcomed by the Director and her team, who provided a comprehensive overview of the company.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Johannesburg, Teraco is Africa’s leading carrier-, cloud-, and vendor-neutral data center provider. As a business partner of Direct Transact, Teraco provides essential physical infrastructure that supports reliable and secure digital services, including financial transaction platforms.
In 2022, Digital Realty Trust acquired approximately 55% of Teraco, while the remaining shares are held by private investors and management in South Africa.

Teraco’s business model is based on vendor-neutral colocation services, offering customer data center space, power capacity, cooling systems, and interconnection services. By providing access to multiple carriers and cloud providers within the same facility, Teraco enables flexibility and choice for its customers. To ensure high reliability, the company has extensive redundancy systems in place and is investing in renewable energy projects to enhance sustainability and energy resilience.

The Head of Operations, Helen, together with her colleague, Ryan, shared detailed insights into Teraco’s operations, certifications, security standards, and sustainability initiatives. They explained the comprehensive plans and technical solutions in place to minimize the risks associated with power outages, as well as the company’s ambition to reach approximately 90% renewable energy coverage within its energy program.

In terms of social responsibility, the Teraco Academy provides training opportunities for young people, equipping them with technical skills and practical experience within the company. We were informed that around 50% of academy participants remain employed at Teraco after completing the program. Furthermore, Teraco allocates a significant annual budget for social responsibility initiatives, comparable to that of larger global companies such as Equinix.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the data centre facility, where we gained deeper insight into the operational infrastructure, security systems, and resilience mechanisms that support mission-critical services.

In terms of the working environment, we also interacted with teams from different racial, cultural, and professional backgrounds throughout the visit. We are impressed by the diversity within Teraco’s workforce.

https://www.teraco.co.za/ 

On Thursday, 5th of February, we visited TSIBA Business School in Cape Town. Even though it was their semester break, a group of student representatives came in just to meet us, which already gave the whole visit a really warm and welcoming vibe. We were greeted by the CEO, the Global Office lead, and a student ambassador, who gave us a short introduction to TSIBA and what the school stands for. During this introduction, we also learned about the motivation behind the school’s foundation. Since tuition fees in South Africa are not affordable for everyone, the CEO established TSIBA as a non-profit institution to create opportunities for talented students who would otherwise not have access to higher education. The institution follows a pay-it-forward model, encouraging graduates to give back and support future students once they are employed.

After that, the head of programme from the FHNW introduced himself and talked a bit about the purpose of our own university. It was interesting to see how both schools, even though they’re in totally different places, share similar values around personal growth, responsibility, and making a positive impact.

Then we split into small groups and had about an hour to chat with the local students. What we thought would be a casual Q&A turned into surprisingly deep conversations. The students were incredibly open about their experiences, their challenges, and what motivates them. With snacks and drinks on the tables, the whole atmosphere felt relaxed and genuine.

While we were there, two TSIBA students were painting a mural of a big tree representing “Ubuntu.” Watching them work added something special to the visit. The idea behind Ubuntu - I am because we are - came up again and again during our study trip, and this tree really captured that feeling of connection and community.

Looking back, the visit to TSIBA was one of those moments that stays with you. It wasn’t just about seeing another school; it was about meeting people who live their values and learning from their stories. The spirit of Ubuntu definitely followed us long after we left the campus.

https://www.tsiba.ac.za/