Oversight Board/2026-2027-candidates/Candidate Name

Candidates

1. Makho Mashoba

I, Makho Mashoba, seek election to the Board of Directors of Sugar Labs because I believe every child deserves access to the tools that will define their future—especially artificial intelligence. My career has been rooted in building AI systems that make complex information accessible, intuitive, and empowering. From developing data-intensive analytics platforms to leading engineering teams, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can unlock understanding when designed with compassion and curiosity at its core.

My commitment to children’s learning predates my work in technology. Before entering AI, I spent years working in daycares and volunteering with youth programs. Those experiences shaped my belief that children are naturally inventive thinkers—they simply need environments that nurture exploration. Sugar Labs embodies this philosophy, and I want to help extend that mission globally.

Today, AI is becoming a universal language. If children—regardless of geography, income, or circumstance—can learn to create with AI rather than merely consume it, we give them agency in a rapidly changing world. I want to bring my expertise in AI, open-source development, and educational innovation to Sugar Labs to help build tools, curricula, and community partnerships that make this possible.

I am committed to helping Sugar Labs empower the next generation of thinkers, builders, and dreamers. With a foundation in early childhood work, a career in advanced technology, and a passion for global youth empowerment, I hope to serve as a bridge between what children imagine and what they can create.