Building the future of Livestock Protection with Kaluba Chikonde

Can you tell us about your role and the key responsibilities you manage on a daily basis? 

Currently, I’m the Lead Data Engineer at Livetec Systems, and you may have heard the saying, “data is the new oil.” What that means is that much like crude oil in its raw form is not valuable, raw data on its own is also not particularly useful. However, when it’s refined, cleaned, and processed, it transforms into something highly valuable. My role focuses on developing strategies and systems that convert raw data within the organisation into actionable insights, which various teams, including farmers and internal departments can use to make informed decisions on a daily basis. 

For example, one of my key responsibilities is building dashboards. These dashboards help different teams track performance and make data driven decisions. For instance, I built a project management dashboard to track who’s working on which projects and ensure we’re allocating resources efficiently. I also created a financial dashboard to monitor how we’re spending money and if we’re meeting our annual financial goals. 

In addition, a major part of my work revolves around the Livestock Protect app, which allows users to track disease outbreaks related to AI and wild birds. My team is responsible for sourcing, processing, and feeding this data into the app, ensuring it delivers accurate, real-time insights. The data we’re transforming provides invaluable, up-to-date, and accurate AI outbreak information directly into the hands of our customers, empowering them to make informed decisions to protect their livestock. 

Ultimately, my role is about enabling data driven decision, making the systems and infrastructure needed to extract, clean, and transform raw data into actionable insights that both our internal teams and customers can rely on. 

How did you get into this line of work? Was it always part of your career plan? 

It wasn’t part of my original plan at all. I grew up wanting to become a doctor, but after moving to South Africa and attending university, I was exposed to the world of technology, programming, and data. I was fascinated by it, and when I studied a programme called Analytics at the University of Cape Town, I discovered my passion for using tech to solve real-world problems. 

My career path wasn’t planned, it was driven by curiosity.

I didn’t even know what data engineering was when I got my first job. I just needed a job after university, and it was only once I started that I realised what the role truly involved. 

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role? 

The most rewarding aspect of my role is the freedom to be creative and design solutions from the ground up.

At Livetec Systems, I have the opportunity to build systems and infrastructure from scratch, which allows for innovation and experimentation. We can test, fail, and iterate, which makes the work really exciting. 

Beyond the technical side, I’m also a people person. I love working with smart, passionate individuals who share my love for problem-solving and want to make a real impact. That makes the work even more rewarding. 

Can you describe a recent moment of teamwork that made a big impact on your workday? 

A recent standout moment of teamwork was the launch of our AI biosecurity assistant, Paula.

It was an exciting project that brought together people from different Livetec divisions with various roles and responsibilities into the squad; Amy from our Knowledge Hub, Adlin and I on the data side, the software team (Tino and Mubien) handling the back-end, Paul F. handling the front-end, Dean our product manager, Irene our scrum master and Jen from Marketing. 

We found a seamless way of working creatively towards a shared goal: getting Paula to the market and into public use. I love working with AI, so contributing to such a successful launch through strong collaboration made it especially rewarding. 

How often do you work with your team or collaborate with other departments? 

Collaboration is a key part of my role,

as data sits at the centre of the business. We have daily stand ups that keep us aligned, and we work in squads, cross-functional teams focused on specific projects, with weekly or biweekly meetings to share updates and goals. 

Many of my projects involve cross team collaboration, whether it’s working with software engineers who need data or gathering input from teams for dashboards we’re building. Ad hoc meetings are common, ensuring we deliver the right insights to the right people.

What’s the most challenging part of your day, and how do you handle it? 

The most challenging part of my day is the constant context switching. As a data lead, I’m involved in multiple projects and meetings, which means jumping between tasks and meetings throughout the day. It can be difficult to maintain focus and momentum. To manage this, I set aside time in the mornings for deep work, so I can prioritise my most important tasks before the distractions of the day begin. 

Another challenge is estimating how long coding tasks will take. As programmers, we often think something will take a couple of days, but it rarely goes as planned. I used to spend a lot of time Googling solutions, but now 

I rely heavily on ChatGPT, which has become a valuable tool for problem solving, my new best friend!

How do you take breaks during the day to recharge? Do you have a favourite way to relax or refocus? 

If I don’t work out in the morning, I’ll head to the gym in the evening after closing my laptop. Otherwise, I unwind by listening to music, watching podcasts on YouTube, or catching up on a series. Once I’m done with work for the day, I fully disconnect. 

I also run an Instagram page (the_digital_nomad_zm),

where I create content about AI. It’s something I’m really passionate about! Beyond that, I love travelling and spending time with friends and family. Maintaining a good work-life balance is important to me. 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in your field, what would it be? 

My biggest advice?

A degree is valuable, but it’s not enough.

What truly sets you apart is your attitude, curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. When I started as a data engineer, I knew nothing about the field, but my eagerness to figure things out helped me grow quickly. 

I’d also encourage mastering AI and tech early. AI isn’t just for engineers; it’s transforming every field and can give you a huge competitive advantage. In today’s fast changing world, the question isn’t just what’s your degree? but what can you do? 

How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what excites you most about what’s ahead? 

AI is becoming deeply integrated into every aspect of our lives, and with that, the role of a data engineer is evolving beyond just managing data. The future is about strategically integrating AI, not to replace jobs, but to work alongside people, enhancing productivity and innovation. 

What excites me most is how AI can free us to focus on more meaningful work, like building deeper connections with clients or developing smarter solutions. In agriculture, for example, AI could help predict disease outbreaks and protect livestock.

If someone could discover one thing about you, what would it be? 

I’d say one thing people should know about me; I love karaoke! Now, don’t get me wrong, I can’t sing, but that doesn’t stop me. If I could get anything, it would be an AI-powered karaoke system in my house, combining my two passions!