WeThinkCode names Ashmita Singh as CEO

Outgoing CEO Nyari Samushonga moves to executive chair role as software development academy enters new phase.

South African software development academy WeThinkCode has appointed Ashmita Singh as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 January, following a planned leadership transition.

Singh succeeds Nyari Samushonga, who has led the organisation since 2019 and will now serve as executive chairperson of the board. Samushonga will remain involved in strategic direction and partnerships.

During Samushonga’s tenure, WeThinkCode expanded its training operations and funding base. The academy currently trains approximately 600 learners annually across seven campuses, including partnerships with five Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The organisation also developed an in-house curriculum with specialised technology streams and increased support from corporate, philanthropic and public-sector funders.

Singh brings experience spanning corporate finance, entrepreneurship and social impact initiatives. Her background includes roles at Mazars, South African Breweries and AB InBev, as well as the founding of technology-enabled ventures focused on economic inclusion. More recently, she served as managing director at AMANDLA and Rhiza Ventures, where she worked on national programmes related to youth skills development and enterprise support.

In addition, Singh has acted as a strategic advisor to the advocacy organisation Women for Change, contributing to policy engagement around gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.

WeThinkCode said the leadership change is intended to support continuity while positioning the organisation for future growth as demand for digital and technology skills continues to increase.

The academy was founded to address skills shortages in the technology sector by providing tuition-free software development training to young people from underserved communities.