Tshepo Tshabalala
Johannesburg
Summary
Results-driven QA Leader with 17 years in mobile software and device firmware. Skilled in leading software testing teams and collaborating with product and engineering teams to deliver reliable, customer-ready solutions. Strong communication and analytical skills facilitate effective stakeholder engagement. MBA equips with strategic thinking to align technical projects with business objectives, driving value and supporting organisational growth.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Telecoms Software QA Tester Manager
Samsung Electronics
Johannesburg
04.2012 - 02.2024
- Led the QA team for telecom software and device firmware, overseeing the overall test strategy, release sign-off, and quality KPIs across various product lines.
- Established and scaled comprehensive end-to-end testing processes, including test planning, risk-based testing, automated regression testing, API testing, interoperability testing, and performance testing, to enhance overall quality assurance.
- I implemented test automation frameworks, including Selenium, Appium, and pytest, and successfully integrated them into CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins.
- This initiative reduced regression cycle time by approximately 50%, enabling more frequent and more stable releases.
- Collaborated with product, development, and network engineering teams to triage and resolve defects, enhancing root cause analysis and decreasing post-release critical bugs by approximately 40%.
- Tracked key quality metrics, including test coverage, defect escape rate, and Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR), to inform continuous improvement initiatives.
- Mentored and coached QA engineers, introducing best practices such as Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD), code reviews for test scripts, and effective test data management, fostering skill development and team capability.
Regional Field Testing Specialist - Southern Africa & SADC Region
Samsung Africa
Johannesburg
02.2010 - 03.2012
- Utilised expertise in mobile product testing and quality assurance to ensure reliable functionality of Samsung devices in diverse real-world environments across Southern Africa and neighbouring SADC countries.
- Planned and executed regional field tests to validate product functionality, network compatibility, regulatory compliance, and user experience under varied conditions.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through the development and implementation of feedback mechanisms and service improvements.
- Maintained accurate documentation to meet programme requirements and contractual obligations.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends, informing strategic planning and decision-making.
Content Application Technician
Samsung Electronics
Johannesburg
08.2007 - 01.2010
- Ensured mobile applications submitted to app store met quality, performance, security, and content standards prior to publication.
- - Evaluating and testing mobile applications for functionality and compliance.
- - Ensuring apps met security requirements and regional content regulations.
- - Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support app onboarding and quality releases.
- Conducted thorough bug testing and adhered to platform guidelines while collaborating with developers to resolve issues for Samsung Apps Store.
- - Documenting and communicating issues to developers.
- - Maintaining efficient testing workflows and reporting to uphold high content standards.
- My key responsibilities included:
Sales Consultant & Assistant Manager
Vodacom
Johannesburg
06.2004 - 07.2006
- I engaged with customers to understand their needs, recommended products and services, and closed sales to meet targets.
- As a Sales Consultant, I increased sales and streamlined daily store operations.
- Ensured positive customer experience by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Supported store manager in coordinating team, training sales consultants, managing inventory, and maintaining customer service standards while assisting with administrative tasks and stepping in as leader.
Education
National Diploma Operations Management -
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg11-2018
Certificate in Project Management -
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg11-2015
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management, Technology Management, Leadership
Mancosa
Johannesburg05-2024
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management -
University Of Johannesburg
Johannesburg01-2022
Advanced Diploma in Management - Business Administration and General Management
University Of Johannesburg
Johannesburg01-2021
Advance Diploma in Business Management -
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg01-2019
Skills
- Test strategy
- Data-driven decisions
- Risk management
- Process Improvement
- Budget management
- Operations management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic planning
- Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Communication (Written & Verbal)
- Assertive communication
- Test automation
- Collaborative mindset
- Regression testing
- Performance testing
- Mobile application testing
- Test script development
- Manual testing
- Functional testing
- Integration testing
- System testing
- Defect tracking
- Software debugging
- Unit test writing
- Software configuration management
- Test automation frameworks
- Application Performance Monitoring
- Jira
- API Manual Testing
- User acceptance testing
- ISTQB certified
- TDD
- Grey box testing
- Exploratory Testing
- Quality assurance expertise
- Project tracking tools
- TestLink
- Kanban frameworks
- PYTHON
- Quick-learning
- Pair programming
- UI automation testing
- Web API protocols
- Strategic decision-making
- Process improvement strategies
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Setswana
Custom Section
- Project and test strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Process improvement
- Data-driven decision-making
- Risk and performance management
- Budget oversight
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Problem-solving
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
linkedin
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Telecoms Software QA Tester Manager
Samsung Electronics
04.2012 - 02.2024
Regional Field Testing Specialist - Southern Africa & SADC Region
Samsung Africa
02.2010 - 03.2012
Content Application Technician
Samsung Electronics
08.2007 - 01.2010
Sales Consultant & Assistant Manager
Vodacom
06.2004 - 07.2006
National Diploma Operations Management -
University of Johannesburg
Certificate in Project Management -
University of Johannesburg
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management, Technology Management, Leadership
Mancosa
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management -
University Of Johannesburg
Advanced Diploma in Management - Business Administration and General Management
University Of Johannesburg
Advance Diploma in Business Management -
University of Johannesburg