Audrey Chanakira believes the best technology begins with listening

Audrey Chanakira's eyes widened as she gazed at the dashboard of her rabbit farming app, BunnyNest Tracker, on Apple's App Store. It was a typical day in July 2013, but Chanakira's expectations were turned upside down. She had built the app for her brother, expecting nothing more than confirmation of its download. Instead, she found a global audience. Users were downloading the app in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, a phenomenon that stunned Chanakira. As a software engineer, she had thought software would be a better tool than a printable PDF for her brother's rabbit farming needs. Little did she know, this project would be the catalyst for her career in tech.

Growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, as one of three children, Chanakira was often bullied for her quiet nature. However, her love for football provided an escape. She played for her school's girls' football team throughout her school days and gained confidence on the pitch that eventually replaced her shyness. Chanakira's love for computers, on the other hand, began through play. On her uncle's computer, she spent hours playing FIFA and exploring Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Paint. By the time she graduated from Christ Ministries High School in 2012, studying Information Technology at Harare Polytechnic, one of Zimbabwe's oldest technical colleges, felt like the natural next step.

After completing her diploma in 2013, Chanakira's father secured a four-year work contract in Namibia and encouraged her to continue her education there. With Zimbabwe grappling with economic challenges at the time, the decision felt obvious. In 2014, Chanakira enrolled at the University of Namibia, a public university in Windhoek, the country's capital, to study information technology. The university introduced her to new challenges and opportunities that would shape her career.

Chanakira's experience with BunnyNest Tracker showed her the importance of listening to users. As she reflected on her career, she emphasized the value of laying a foundation and living a legacy that matters. Most people, she noted, like hype, but for her, it's about creating something that resonates with people. Chanakira's journey from a quiet child to a successful software engineer is evidence of the power of passion, hard work, and a willingness to learn.

• Chanakira's rabbit farming app, BunnyNest Tracker, gained a global audience in 2013.
• She built the app in three days for her brother and uploaded it to Apple's App Store.
• Chanakira's love for football provided an escape from bullying and gave her confidence.
• She studied Information Technology at Harare Polytechnic and later at the University of Namibia.

As I reflect on Audrey Chanakira's story, I am reminded of the importance of staying true to one's passion and values. Chanakira's quiet revolution in tech is evidence of the power of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Her journey serves as a reminder that even the smallest projects can have a significant impact and that listening to users is key to creating something that truly matters.

Chanakira's story is a shining example of what it means to live a legacy that matters. As she continues to shape the tech industry, her commitment to creating value and listening to users will undoubtedly inspire others to follow in her footsteps.