Team
Yankho Chantel Maria Saliji
Software Developer · 2× Hackathon Winner · AI Facilitator & Mentor
Yankho is a Software Developer, Blockchain Researcher, and educator based in Johannesburg — a WeThinkCode_ alumna and 2× Hackathon Winner who blends analytical rigour with a people-first approach to building ethical, meaningful technology.
About Yankho
Yankho studied Information Technology in System Development at WeThinkCode_ (NQF Level 5, September 2023 – December 2024), where she also served as a Technical Mentor — guiding first-year students (Cohort 2024) in programming concepts, problem-solving, and soft skills while maintaining academic excellence. She followed this with a three-month role as AI Training Facilitator at WeThinkCode_ (March – May 2025), delivering AI curriculum to both technical and non-technical participants.
Her wins at the EPF and Kagiso Trust Hackathon (2024) and the W3Node Engine Hackathon (2026) reflect her ability to execute under pressure and build solutions that resonate. Her technical stack covers Python, Java, and Solidity, supported by certifications in AI Inference (Arm CPUs), Microsoft AI Fluency, CX Automation, and Data Fundamentals.
Yankho is a multilingual communicator — fluent in English and proficient in Setswana, Xitsonga, and Tshivenda, with elementary German — and brings strong skills in presentation, teaching, and facilitation that make her as effective in a room as she is in a codebase.
Focus Areas
- Software development — Python, Java, Solidity
- Blockchain research & Web3 ecosystem participation
- AI education, curriculum facilitation, and training delivery
- Technical mentorship & developer community building
How Yankho Works With You
- Brings a proven record of building under pressure — two hackathon wins (EPF & Kagiso Trust 2024; W3Node Engine 2026) demonstrate the ability to move from idea to working solution quickly, a skill that translates directly to fast-moving team environments.
- Bridges technical depth with accessible communication — her background as both an AI Training Facilitator and a Technical Mentor means she can explain complex concepts clearly and adapt her communication to any audience, technical or not.
- Approaches engineering with curiosity and empathy — her focus on ethical innovation and people-centred problem-solving ensures she considers the human impact of what she builds, not just the technical implementation.
Find Yankho online
Listen to Yankho's short audio introduction (coming soon).
Yankho's detailed CV and LinkedIn export will appear here.