QONCE– In a world rapidly being reshaped by artificial intelligence(AI), one young entrepreneur from the Eastern Cape is stepping into the spotlight not just as a tech innovator but as a symbol of what’s possible when ambition meets purpose.
At just 26 years old Siphenathi Poyana a dynamic young woman born and raised in Qonce is the founder of Nova AI Automation Agency a forward-thinking company that designs AI-powered chatbots and intelligent operating systems, to help businesses run more efficiently.
Originally an Analytical Chemistry student at Walter Sisulu University, Poyana’s career took a bold turn when she recognised the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Driven by curiosity and a desire to future-proof businesses, she immersed herself in self-learning and soon turned her vision into a reality.
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Cape Daily News Poyana had this to say, “I saw how technology is evolving and I realised AI will dominate many industries in the near future. That’s when I decided to teach myself how it works,” she said.
Her agency now helps businesses across sectors save time and reduce costs by implementing smart, automated systems. “I help businesses save money. My chatbots work around the clock, answering customer queries so that business owners can focus on making money and growing their operations,” Poyana explained.
Despite entering the tech industry without a formal background in coding or engineering, Poyana hasn’t let that stop her. She’s faced self-doubt, limited mentorship and the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated space but her determination continues to push her forward.
“Every day comes with doubts, especially because I don’t come from a technical background and there are so few people around me working in AI. When I hit obstacles, I often have no one to turn to but I keep going,” she said.
Now, as Nova AI gains momentum Siphenathi Poyana is not only building smart solutions for modern businesses she’s also building a legacy that could inspire the next generation of tech leaders from the Eastern Cape.
Photographs: Siphenathi Poyana
