While some people think the level of education determines how successful one can become and how age determines when to be a gem, the achievements of Peter Nkonde, a 20 year old youth of Lusaka’s Lilanda compound should usher in a new perspective.
Without formal education Peter Nkonde, is a freelance website designer, software developer, creator of an anti-virus called initiative, music producer, creator of Kzone Radio transmitter and other creative works.
Peter who will soon register his own website designing company which he calls KZone initiative will be hosting several website designing training in some parts of Zambia so that people with interest in computers will be empowered with skills.
Born in 1995, Peter has become an inspiration to many because of his expertise in computers.
His journey towards becoming a known computer wizard today, started when all roads to a successful education appeared closed.
Peter dropped out of school in grade nine, junior secondary school level in 2012; because of the financial constraints his parents were experiencing.
Upon realising he had interest in computers; peter made a decision to improve his basic computer skills he had acquired in primary school by frequenting an internet café and using the net effectively.
Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka star, Peter narrates that he met George Kambole at an internet café he visited regularly who was astonished at his love for computers and later on introduced him to MTN Zambia where he got his first job.
“I have provided my services to several companies, three telecommunication companies, Zambia daily nation where I first designed a website for a company, professional life assurance among many others, I’m currently working with Zambia Open University in web creation,” he reveals.
Peter is the producer behind NAREP’s election campaign video advert.
When asked to disclose the names of individuals who greatly inspire him, he happily points out renowned Facebook Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg and his friend Gibson Zulu who had offered his Laptop for him to use for his web designs.
And Peter’s mother, Beauty Bwalya has expressed happiness towards her son’s innovative venture which she says has benefited the family financially.
With his earnings, Peter has managed to not only build a two roomed house for his family in lilanda but to sponsor his sibling’s education at a private school as well.
Peter has created a group Kzone initiative aimed at bringing youths together to share positive ideas that can help better Zambian’s computer technology development.
“If we unite and work effectively together through different platforms everything is possible and achieving greater exploits is inevitable,” notes peter.
Peter has created platforms on social networks where he shares his project undertakings and knowledge on web designing one of such is a Facebook page called website designing Zambia.
“I’m excited that a number of youths are coming on board to work with me because it is important to network,”he says.
Peter has since advised youths to start working on their interests and not to wait until the atmosphere is supportive for them.
“I started designing websites using my phone, I did not wait until getting formal education, I improved my computer skills using a single book and because of that I have improved my abilities,”he disclose.
When the interviewer inquired on whether he plans on completing his education, Peter answers affirmatively because he notes the needs of having a certificate in his field however, he points out that at one time he enrolled for a course in website designing at a college in Lusaka but was instead given a job because the knowledge the course offers is the same knowledge he is immersed in.
Peter has sounded advice to young people to ensure they do not follow any one blindly because peer pressure is real.
“It is important to have goals in life and a good team because you will have a clear understanding of your future, I always shun idle talk with peers and do not entertain peers with negative impact,” he says.
Peter reveals that some of his guiding principles are determination, respect and humility; he believes that no matter how great you can became, it is important to be humble and to respect people.
He points out that it is not enough to only use knowledge acquired at school but to also utilise the creativity that lies inside oneself to be remarkable in any field.
Peter who has received recognition for his work plans to open a big media house to be involved in media programming exclusively for youths with interest in computers technology.
