Francis Djumo

Born in Pinetown and raised in a close-knit church community around Durban, Francis Djumo, 26, grew up watching his pastor parents lead with purpose — a value he carries into every line of code he writes and every young mind he mentors. Francis is lead researcher and facilitator in robotics and AI at AlgoAtWork, teaching coding and engineering to high schoolers and youths aged 18 to 35. Through a blend of technical instruction, R&D and mentorship, he helps young people launch ideas, prototypes and start-ups — with some securing funding and employment under his guidance. A graduate of Durban University of Technology with a degree in ICT and an honours in machine learning and project management, Francis is pursuing a second bachelor’s in robotics engineering at Germany’s International University of Applied Sciences. He came third in the 2020 Innovate Durban Youth Challenge for a smart water meter and secured a R260 000 contract from the govern- ment to build a warehouse-assistance robot. What he values most is mentoring youth. Francis lives by the words of Myles Munroe: “You can never change anything that you are willing to tolerate.” And for him, tolerance isn’t an option — not for inequality, underrepresentation and untapped potential.

• Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology – specialising in machine learning and project management
• Honours degree in Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology
• Bachelor’s in Robotics Engineering, Germany’s International University of Applied Sciences – supported by a scholarship from the Student Access Alliance, facilitated by Rlabs Cape Town  (*in progress)

• Placing third in Innovate Durban’s Youth Innovation Challenge (2020) with the development of a smart inflow water meter, enabling households to digitally monitor water usage. The project incorporated machine learning to provide insights for improved consumption management and demonstrated the value of multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Secured a R260,000 government contract to develop a warehouse-assistance robot capable of carrying up to 100 kg, supporting logistics operations. This validated both the technical solution and the growing demand for robotics within the South African industry.
• Mentorship remains a source of pride, with several young people supported through guidance now employed or running their tech businesses. Watching others progress from idea to implementation, often under challenging circumstances, highlights the transformative power of mentorship rooted in practical support and genuine care. 

While I’ve had many teachers and a few mentors throughout my journey, the person I admire most — and who has had the greatest influence on my life — is my father. As both a mentor and a coach, he knows me deeply, not just because I’m his son but because he understands how I think, how I react and what drives me. He knows when to challenge me, when to push and when to encourage. Whether he’s giving me constructive feedback on my ideas or reminding me of the dreams and purpose I’ve committed to, he always finds a way to guide me with wisdom and care. Beyond being my dad, he’s also a pastor, and our conversations often go beyond career and dive into faith, leadership, family and building others up. Even when he’s overseas, we stay in close contact, and those interactions continue to shape my values, mindset and leadership style. He’s taught me that being a leader means serving and teaching others — something I try to carry into every area of my life, from robotics and mentoring to church and community. He remains my greatest source of inspiration — not just for what he’s achieved but for the consistent way he lives out his values and invests in people.