Memories may fade, but a scent will always be the vehicle that drives you back to those memories.  Has someone ever made you turn your head because you were captivated by their scent? These are the moments Thabo Kwakwa lives for. Thabo was born and bred in Limpopo, and raised by loving and supportive parents.  He was fascinated by new technological advances and discoveries. 

He then decided to enrol at the Central University of Technology, Free State’s Welkom Campus for a National Diploma in Information Technology:  Software Development. Due to his tenacity and diligence, he was nominated by his Head of Department for a six months’ Study Abroad Programme in his final year (2018).  He studied Computer Sciences, specialising in Data Sciences at Hochschule Aalen in Germany. “My best time at CUT was when I was selected to study abroad. It felt like a dream come true, and I will always appreciate CUT for providing me with the chance to study and travel throughout Europe.” Thabo’s perfume journey started in Europe. 

He visited one of the biggest perfume shops in the world and right there and then he decided that he wanted to be a perfumer one day.   He is the founder of TLK Oud Boutique, an online perfume store. They deliver high-quality fragrances around South Africa.  All their perfume oils are imported directly from the perfume capitals of the world, the United Arabic Emirates and France. The ultimate product is elegantly packaged colognes and perfumes.  His online boutique’s recognition by Metro FM and Motsweding FM was his largest professional achievement, and hearing his voice on such prominent radio stations taught him that there are no boundaries to what he can do.

He is working as a technician at the Alkantpan Test Range division of ARMSCOR in the Northern Cape. He goes to work excited every day because he gets to do the two things he loves, IT and perfumery.  “The best thing about owning an online store is that it is fun to see how technology has made it simple for me to run a business online. Most of my customers are people who do not know me and have never seen me, and this shows the beauty of technology.” Thabo is motivated by success.  Seeing other people do well pushes him to become great, too.  He says coming to study IT at CUT is one of the best decisions he has ever made, because it opened so many doors for him.  His goal is to travel worldwide and have his perfumes distributed globally.  He counsels young people to exercise consistency and discipline in everything they do, whether in business or academic pursuits.

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Uploaded: 24 October 2022