Ernest Nzama

I'm a Junior Full-Stack Developer with hands-on experience building full-stack web apps and integrating AI into real workflows, from RAG pipelines and LLM integrations to migrating internal tools from Retool to React. I like understanding the problem before jumping to the solution, and I'm comfortable working across the stack and with non-technical people. I'm looking for a role where I can keep building, learning, and contributing to something meaningful

Intern - UMUZI.org - Johannesburg, Gauteng

(2026-01)

• Led the migration of Umuzi's applicant registration and application forms from Retool to a custom React and TypeScript solution, improving maintainability and organisational ownership of the application process.
• Built a RAG-powered Slack bot for internal knowledge search, integrating Google Docs and Google Drive as retrieval sources and implementing conversational thread support for multi-turn queries.
• Automated two internal workflows using Google Apps Script: (1) a job scraper pipeline that filters scraped listings into a separate sheet, extracting entry-level roles based on experience conditions; (2) a learner attendance tracker that pulls Google Meet CSV exports from Drive, parses attendance duration, and populates a sheet marking each attendee as Present, Late, or Absent.
• Facilitated design thinking sprints across multiple cross-functional teams, applying structured ideation and problem-framing techniques to real project challenges.
• Currently leading requirements gathering for an AI-powered project plan generator for internal project managers — scoping user needs, defining inputs/outputs, and planning LLM integration.
• Took on Scrum master and lead developer roles in cross-functional agile sprints, coordinating delivery and unblocking teammates.

Advanced Web Development Trainee - UMUZI.org - Johannesburg, Gauteng

(2025-05 - 2026-01)

• Completed intensive project-based training in JavaScript, React, Node.js, databases, and agile methodologies.
• Boosted front-end performance by 30% in a group project by optimising component re-rendering and applying lazy loading.
• Built responsive, data-driven UIs integrated with RESTful APIs; managed Git branches and resolved merge conflicts in a team environment.

Professional Certificate - IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer Professional Certificate - IBM, Coursera (2025-06 - 2025-09)

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science & Informatics - University of Johannesburg (2019-01 - 2024-11)