About

13th Coffin

Development Team

Samkelo Tshabalala

Hi I'm Sam -  a software developer/engineer and the resident individual found within the 13th Coffin.

 

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and specialize in mobile development for the Android platform. I also build MERN stack and C# web apps.

 

I started 13th Coffin as a company where I can keep improving my development skills by taking on more formal projects in the form of freelance solo development work for very small businesses/indivual clients who are looking to build mobile or web apps tailored to their specific use cases.

For companies and recruiters alike, 13th Coffin also acts as my portfolio, showcasing a few of my completed projects. 
As a recent graduate, my current career goal is to land a full-time position within the tech industry and be part of an established software development team, where I can learn from more senior developers, contribute to developing cutting-edge technologies, grow my technical skills, and make a real-world impact. 
 
I’m eager to bring my problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and passion for innovation to a dynamic team, contributing to projects that drive business success.
Alongside my computer science degree I also hold a higher certificate in the following qualification:

Information Technology in Support Services.

The certificate program centered around the following:
- Computer architecture based on CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide (Exams 220-1001 & 220-1002) course material
- An introduction to Cybersecurity
- Help Desk operations and concepts
- An introduction to Network Architecure 
- Configuring client systems and devices

Certificates Completed

Responsive Web Design – FreeCodeCamp

Completed: 2024

  • Learned HTML and CSS fundamentals, including modern techniques like CSS variables, Flexbox, and CSS Grid. Developed responsive, accessible designs adaptable to various screen sizes.

 

  • Built practical projects such as a cat photo app, a photo gallery, and a quiz site to apply skills in real-world scenarios.

 

  • Technologies: HTML, CSS, Flexbox, CSS Grid

JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures – FreeCodeCamp

Completed: 2024

  • Learned JavaScript fundamentals, including variables, arrays, objects, loops, and functions.

 

  • Gained experience in Object-Oriented and Functional Programming, algorithmic problem-solving, and interacting with APIs and local storage.

 

  • Developed interactive web solutions through DOM manipulation and advanced JavaScript concepts.

 

  • Technologies: JavaScript, API Integration, Local Storage, DOM Manipulation

Front End Development Libraries – FreeCodeCamp

Completed: 2024

  • Expanded front-end skills by learning popular libraries such as Bootstrap, Sass, React, and Redux. Gained expertise in styling, logic-driven design, and creating dynamic Single Page Applications (SPAs).

 

  • Applied knowledge by building projects, including a keyboard based drum machine, to deliver interactive web experiences.

 

  • Technologies: Bootstrap, Sass, React, Redux

Data Visualization – FreeCodeCamp

Completed: 2024

  • Acquired skills in visualizing data through charts, graphs, and maps using the D3.js library. Learned to work with JSON and online data via APIs to create meaningful visual narratives.

 

  • Created projects showcasing data insights and applied skills in handling and presenting complex datasets effectively.

 

  • Technologies: D3.js, JSON, API Integration

Programming Languages

I write code in the following languages:

Frameworks and Libraries

I have built projects using the following:

Tools and Platforms

I work with the following:

Work Related Experience

A brief summary of projects I have worked on or contributed to.

Junior Android Developer

Project: TuneSync
Duration: July 2024 - Present

Responsibilities:

  • Designed and developed TuneSync, an offline music player app, from concept to deployment on the Google Play Store.

  • Engineered core functionalities including local music playback, background audio support, and playlist genre analysis using Media3 Exo Player and Room Database.

  • Integrated APIs to enable lyric fetching and real-time concert discovery, providing a seamless user experience.

  • Enhanced security with Firebase Authentication and fingerprint biometrics for login.

  • Optimized app navigation using Fragment Navigation and RecyclerView, adhering to Material Design principles for a modern, intuitive interface.

  • Implemented multilingual support and offline caching to expand accessibility and usability.

  • Delivered regular updates, including real-time notifications and customizable artist and album views, to improve user satisfaction.

Key Achievements:

  • Successfully deployed the app with a 99% crash-free user experience.

  • Expanded reach through multilingual support, catering to diverse user demographics.

  • Demonstrated scalability by modularizing the app's architecture for future feature additions.

Tech Stack:

Android Studio | Media3 Exo Player | Firebase Authentication | Room Database | API Integrations | Material Design

.Net Full-Stack Developer (C#)

Project: BumbleBee Foundation Web App
Duration: March 2024 - November 2024

Responsibilities:

  • Developed a client-facing web application and API for the non-profit to bridge donors, companies, and administrators.

  • Implemented secure donation workflows using the PayFast Payment Gateway, including multi-currency support via an integrated Currency Conversion API.

  • Designed modular dashboards for donors, companies, and admins, ensuring role-specific features such as donation history tracking, funding request management, and user administration.

  • Integrated AWS SES for real-time email notifications, improving communication for donation confirmations, funding approvals, and password resets.

  • Developed robust backend functionality with .NET Core and C#, ensuring seamless interaction with the foundation's database and API.

  • Facilitated document uploads and approval workflows, supporting automated tax certificate generation and funding overviews.

  • Enhanced user experience by implementing responsive design, making the app accessible across devices.

Key Achievements:

  • Delivered a secure and scalable application, successfully supporting the foundation's mission.

  • Designed reporting features that provided comprehensive insights into donations and funding requests, aiding strategic decision-making.

Tech Stack:

.NET Core | C# | PayFast Gateway | AWS SES | API Integrations | Responsive Design | Secure Authentication

Software Developer

Project: Greenville Municipality Portal
Duration: August 2024 - November 2024

Responsibilities:

  • Designed and developed a WPF application to improve communication between citizens and the municipality, enabling efficient issue reporting, event tracking, and service request monitoring.

  • Integrated robust UI components, including dynamically sorted event cards, past event indicators, and related issue recommendations.

  • Built a scalable application architecture capable of handling diverse service categories, user inputs, and community needs.

  • Optimized data management using advanced structures (AVL Tree, Graph, Priority Queue, and ObservableCollection) to ensure efficient issue retrieval, context discovery, real-time updates, and dynamic sorting for enhanced user experience.

  • Designed engagement-focused features, including event posting with filters, multimedia previews, and guided progress tracking to streamline issue reporting and boost community participation.

Key Achievements:

  • Enhanced issue resolution efficiency through optimized data structures, reducing retrieval times and improving system responsiveness.

Tech Stack:

C# | WPF | ObservableCollection | Graph Structures | AVL Tree | Priority Queue | UI/UX Design

Other Notable Projects

Globe Transact – MERN Stack Banking Portal

Developed a prototype banking portal simulating SWIFT payment processing and card management using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js).

 

The app includes:

  • Customer Features: User registration, secure authentication, SWIFT payment simulation, card management, and transaction history with a responsive design.

 

  • Employee Features: Staff dashboard for viewing and processing payments, including approval, rejection, and submission to SWIFT.

 

  • Security: Implemented robust security measures, such as bcrypt for password hashing, JWT authentication, data validation with Joi and Yup, and XSS prevention using DOMPurify.

 

  • Showcased a scalable architecture with secure routing, API handling, and real-time updates, illustrating core principles for financial application development.

OnCall – Android Timesheet App

Developed an Android application to streamline work hour tracking, task management, and goal setting using Kotlin and Firebase..

 

Key features include:

  • Core Functionality: User authentication, timesheet creation with optional photos, category management, and daily work goal setting with progress tracking.

 

  • Enhanced User Experience: Visual progress tracking with graphs for hours worked and goal completion, filterable by date.

 

  • Gamification & Notifications: Leaderboard to compare progress with other users and pop-up reminders for scheduled tasks.

 

  • Technology Stack: Firebase Authentication, Realtime Database, and Storage integrated into an intuitive interface built in Android Studio.