About SWAT
Welcome to the headquarters of SWAT (Strategic Worldwide Applications and Technologies), a global product development and Internet strategy team, comprised of Internet Analysts, Product Specialists, and Software Engineers. Together we form a think tank and execution arm of the Internet division within the Naspers/MIH Group, a Global Media Company.
Naspers has one of the largest developing market investment portfolios in the Internet/Mobile space, as presented by our Company Structure.
The Blog serves as our outlet for strategic thoughts, technological idea sharing, and general discussion both with the users of products within Naspers and other WWW destinations. The Labs showcases our research, proofs of concept, and development in cutting-end technologies and Web standards.
We encourage our team members as well as other Internet thinkers within our Group to write blog posts, and welcome feedback and debate from the wider community.
Interested in working at SWAT? Give us a shout!
You may find more about SWAT on our social profiles:
The team
Jacques van Niekerk
CEO @ MIH SWAT, CTO @ MIH Internet
As head of the most talented group of technologists in Naspers, and CTO of the world's most interesting media company - I work in my dream job. 20 years as a technologist, complemented by post graduate qualifications in econometrics and knowledge management. My interests are focused on technology and future research. I read, a lot. Travel, good food and gadgets make me happy.
Tyrone Visagie
Lead Architect
I am responsible for the architectural design and development of internet applications within our division. As part of SWAT, I am involved in providing technical advice and support for the various internet companies within the group. I am also part of the Technical Due Diligence team which is responsible for the technical evaluation part of the M&A process
Leon Coetzee
COO @ MIH SWAT
I am responsible for the day-to-day operating activities of MIHSWAT. This includes managing and developing people, driving change, accountability and excellence, directing company operations to meet budget, establishing and enhancing SWAT’s processes and infrastructure, and ultimately for the internal implementation of SWAT’s objectives. My personal work interests are project management and specifically agile development. Recently I’ve also been researching how to set up and run business and corporate incubators.
Otavio Ferreira
Technical Architect & Scrum Junkie
Technical Architect, Agilist, Semantic Web researcher, Software Engineering lecturer, RESTful Web Services expert, UML believer. BS in Computer Science (PUC-SP) and MS in Software Engineering (USP), with thesis on RESTful Semantic Web Services and Web Ontologies. SWAT member since 2007, based in São Paulo, Brazil.
Rafiq Phillips
SEO Specialist
A self-confessed Web AddiCT who keeps his finger on the pulse of Search Engine Optimization. I am involved in providing SEO advice and support for the various companies within the group.
Bradley Wells
Senior Developer
Husband, Dad, Tech-head, Developer, Designer. In that order. Originally a web designer who progressed into Development through the halls of Flash and Actionscript. Currently delving into the world of Android and iOS. Lastly, Android and Linux FTW!
Hennie Grobler
Technical Architect
I'm an architect at SWAT where I fulfill a range of duties that range from being involved in development to R&D projects to assisting with the technical aspects of MIH mergers and acquisition's. Past experiences are mostly with SOA related projects but have since moved to mostly working with web and related technologies. I also try to keep up with the latest mobile trends and any gadgetry that may be out and about. And of course everything to do with gaming.
Heidi Ocker
Product Owner & SEM Speciliast
Online Marketer turned Product Owner. I have a degree in Journalism and a post graduate diploma in Marketing Management. My specialties are Google Adwords & Analytics and I'm particularly interested in where advertising is going. Traveling, the great outdoors and good food & wine keep me happy.
Leon Myburgh
PHP Developer
PHP software developer with a keen interest in the management of the software development lifecycle. A student of the agile development methodologies.
Steve Farrand
Senior Analyst
My primary role at SWAT is Quality Assurance, which the industry typically refers to as testing. This involves getting on board the project from the beginning, and putting in a process to ensure there is quality at the end, and conducting quality checks to ensure the process has been followed. In an agile environment this involves continual re-planning and flexibility, while maintaining flow. This is communicated to the team via the SWAT Quality Assurance wiki landing page. Additionally, I have a deep passion for training interventions and performance support. I am very proud to work at SWAT and with my colleagues. -- In my private life, I am living my dream living by the sea and regularly enjoy outdoor sports.
Zunaid Parker
Industry Analyst
My Role at SWAT is to provide research discovery and insight into all things technology and web related. My role is designed to support the CTO and business units on matters affecting the business as a whole.
Herman Smith
Mobile Developer & RnD junkie
My primary passion is getting things to work, ranging from alarm clock radios to convoluted source-code. What I do not grasp from initial uptake I make my own through extreme persistence. At MIHSWAT I am a member of the mobile team where I have the opportunity to tinker with a lot of interesting technology. From my optimistic point of view I want to change the world through the innovative and appropriate use of technology. I enjoy outdoor sports and travel which I try to combine as frequently as possible.
Franciska Ellis
PA / Office Manager
I live in Cape Town and have two small children which are super active. I work for the MIH SWAT team in Cape Town (Century City) which consists of 17 people).
Gaurav Gehlot
Technical Architect
I have worked in multiple domains like finance, internet, small business accounting, manufacturing, ERP etc. using almost all possible technologies in my career spanning across India, Europe and USA. Currently my areas of interests include cloud applications, browser technologies, nosql databases and android development. I love spending my free time with my 5 and 2 year old daughters.
Paul Scott
Back end developer
Free Software hacker and long time technologist. I like to refer to myself as a technology frontiersman, pushing the boundaries and having fun on the edge. I write most of my code in PHP and Python, although I dabble in many others. Currently having a load of fun working with MongoDB, Node.js and some mobile apps.
Bhurvi Agrawal
I am a technology enthusiast and have worked on multiple platforms. I love to read about upcoming technologies and trends in various domains. Currently I am exploring the world of mobile and web apps.
