AI App Makes Job Hunting Easy in Southern Africa

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Stellies PHD candidate uses AI to ease the job search process by building an app on a lifelong passion of innovation.

Stellenbosch, South Africa (20 July 2025) – Former National University of Lesotho (NUL) student and current PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University, Thabo Maibi, is making waves once again with his latest innovation. An app called Career Agent simplifies the job-hunting process using artificial intelligence.

The app is designed to search for jobs, match them to a user’s CV, check Applicant Tracking System (ATS) scores, and even apply on the user’s behalf. This is all automatic. It also features a voice-enabled CV builder, making it easier for users to create professional profiles without the need for extensive typing or technical know-how.

Thabo has long been drawn to problem-solving through technology. While still at NUL, he developed a smart greenhouse system in response to the growing challenges brought on by climate change. Coming from a family that relied heavily on agriculture, he experienced the shift from diverse farming to a focus on maize as traditional crop production became increasingly unpredictable. His smart greenhouse was aimed at helping small-scale farmers manage these new conditions using technology.

That early project was a reflection of his ability to combine technical knowledge with personal experience to develop practical solutions for everyday challenges. The same thinking developed Career Agent, which responds to the growing need for accessible, efficient tools to support young people and job seekers navigating a competitive employment landscape.

Now based at Stellenbosch University as a PhD candidate, Thabo continues to develop innovations that have real-world impact. Career Agent is already available, offering job seekers across Southern Africa a smarter way to approach employment opportunities.

His journey from building agricultural tech in Lesotho to designing AI-powered career tools in South Africa highlights the value of nurturing innovation in higher education and supporting local talent. From farming to job creation, his work shows how young minds are finding new ways to tackle old challenges.