Mas’ooda Varachia- From Psychology to Beekeeping Tech to Forbes Africa 30 Under 30

When asked to describe her journey, Mas’ooda pauses thoughtfully. “It’s such a difficult question,” she admits. But her story is one worth telling, a tale of preservice, discovery and a commitment to creating impact in unexpected spaces.

With a background in psychology and honours in counselling, Mas’ooda began her career believing that the medical field was the most direct way to help people. Yet, after years of study, she found herself yearning for practical experience. Job hunting proved tough. Eventually, she stumbled upon a telecommunications learnership programme, a path her family struggled to accept.

“At the time, I was earning just enough to cover my fuel,” she recalls. “But I told myself this was my foot in the door. God had a bigger plan.” That plan unfolded when she joined Nokia for her practical training. Immersed in the world of 4IR and 5G, she realised that technology, too, could transform lives. With a mentor who pushed her out of her comfort zone, even introducing her on international calls when she was too nervous to speak, she began to find her voice in male-dominated spaces. Her confidence grew, leading to opportunities such as presenting “Fashion Meets Technology” to the former Minister of Telecommunications, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. It was a defining moment: blending creativity, tech and social impact into one.

Mas’ooda later transitioned to Forge Academy, an incubator for digital innovation. Here, she balanced her psychology training with technology, offering academic coaching while helping build proposals, partnerships and digital hubs. Working across companies in drones, robotics and green infrastructure, she discovered a passion for bridging the digital divide and supporting small businesses. Her role in enterprise and supplier development introduced her to the struggles of SMMEs, especially after Covid-19. “Some businesses were barely surviving on R5,000 a month. But with mentorship, we helped them secure million-rand contracts. It taught me the art of moving forward despite all odds – the true grit of entrepreneurs,” she reflects.

These experiences culminated in the birth of Raven Technologies, a company rooted in community impact. Among its standout initiatives is a beekeeping programme aimed at empowering rural communities. To date, over 7,000 beehives have been distributed across South Africa through their partnership with Mineworkers Development Agency, upskilling more than 700 beekeepers, over half of whom are women. Participants are provided not only with training but also with hives, equipment and protective gear, ensuring they can build sustainable livelihoods. “We didn’t want to train people and walk away. Ownership is key. These hives become theirs,” she explains. Offtake agreements through our partnership with MDA guarantee that beekeepers earn a premium for their honey, while others have launched their own brands, proudly bottling and selling honey in local markets.

Raven Technologies has also introduced IoT-enabled beehives, capable of tracking humidity, rainfall, temperature, and even preventing theft through GPS. “Beehive theft is real,” Mas’ooda notes. “We’ve seen beekeepers lose hundreds of thousands of rands. Now, they can monitor hives from anywhere in the world with just an app.” Beyond bees, the team is piloting sensors in hydroponic tunnels in Marikana, tracking soil pH, water levels and light intensity to boost crop productivity. For Mas’ooda, agriculture and technology are not separate worlds, they are partners in creating sustainable futures.

Despite the weight of her work, she describes herself as a “lifelong learner.” She is proud of her small but dynamic team, made up mostly of women and embraces a leadership style rooted in humility and mutual respect. “I don’t ever want to be the smartest person in the room. I want to keep learning,” she says. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, she was named to the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list, a recognition she describes as both humbling and life-changing. “It’s not about being a billionaire. Forbes celebrates impact, innovation and courage and I wanted to show that Africa is the place where change is happening.”

Looking ahead, Mas’ooda believes Africa is ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “Yes, people fear change, but our youth are not meant to be just employees. They are entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators. We need to trust them, support them and give them the tools to thrive.” Her story is proof that you don’t need to know everything to start and that the courage to try, to trust the process, can open doors you never imagined.

“Yes, people fear change, but our youth are not meant to be just employees. They are entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators. We need to trust them, support them and give them the tools to thrive.”

Mas’ooda’s journey is a blueprint for how technology, entrepreneurship and community impact can shape Africa’s future. She is not only breaking barriers but building bridges for others to follow.