KENNESAW, Ga | December 13, 2022
Kennesaw State University senior Bonga Maswangane says it was an often misunderstood hobby that led him to his now promising career path as a programmer and virtual designer.
The Marietta resident and computer game design and development major will graduate Dec. 15 and go to work in the video game industry, choosing from among several offers.
“I’ve always loved video games. I loved playing them, but the graphics design, the terrain, the development of the game’s physics – all that kept me interested,” said Maswangane. “It’s exciting to see passion and hard work translate into being able to do something I love.”
Maswanganye was not only prepared for the job at KSU by coursework and theory. For several semesters, he worked at KSU’s Realities Lab in the College of Computing and Software Engineering, developing virtual reality games for local businesses to train their employees on.
“For me, programming is cathartic and fun. It’s very satisfying to imagine something and work hard for weeks until you can create the technology you see in your head. There’s a lot more to game design and programming than most people realize.
Kevin Markley Maswangane, virtual reality software developer and Realtys Lab manager, wasn’t just an employee in the lab — he was an integral part of its success during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. While students and staff had to switch from home to work on weekends, the lab team still had project deadlines with three companies.
Markley Maswanganye said it is one of the main reasons why companies’ projects, including Cobb EMC, have stayed on track.
“The Reality Lab would be a completely different place without him. He was the only one who stayed after most of the staff in the lab left, so it was useful to get information about past projects and equipment,” he said. “Bonga has been a huge contributor to every project since I arrived and without him, none of the projects would have any code or stability.”
Markley, who Maswanganye calls a “knowledge seeker,” continues to work during the summer to make sure any project bugs are ironed out and lab needs are met, even when he travels to South Africa to visit family.
“I’m very happy with Bonga, and I’m a little jealous of those who work with him in the industry,” Markle said. “The lab would be completely different without him, from the meetings and discussions to the extensive measurement and use of equipment and project work. Stack up the odds to shine, and I’m optimistically hoping he did here.
Kennesaw State’s fall commencement ceremonies are Dec. 13, 14 and 15.
– by Thomas Hartwell
Photos by Matt Yung
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A leader in innovative learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong international ties and entrepreneurial spirit attract students from across the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it in the elite group of 7 percent of US colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 rating. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
