Interview with Kim Pilaelo, Co-Founder of DiepTweets
YV: What is DeepTweets?
Kim: DiepTweets is a company we started in October 2011, what it does is that we hire people to tweet at conferences, forums and events. It’s mainly aimed at event organizers or any major cooperates that would like to get their names trending on social media networks.
YV: What motivated you to start DiepTweets?
Kim: Whilst attending a certain function I realised that so many young people in Diepsloot do not understand that there is so much out there they need to learn and there is so much information that they can use to improve their situations. What I wanted to do is change the perception of the youth and let them know that there is actually more to life than what they see in Diepsloot if they can just step out of their comfort zone and look outside the world. In that way we got the students in and they got to learn about things and they realised that there is a world outside of Diepsloot.
YV: What is the purpose of DiepTweets?
Kim: The purpose of DiepTweets is to create a social revolution amongst the youth in Diepsloot. We are hoping it will work like a virus.
YV: How long has DiepTweets been running for ?
Kim: DiepTweet has been running for 11 months. It will be a year in October 2012.
YV: Why use twitter as your platform?
Kim: We thought we could be clever to use social media to create a social revolution, so with twitter you can use 140 characterss per every tweet. So a person needs to think of the concept they will put out there. . In the process when a person tweets it’s not only about having fun but they are also learning.
YV: What are some of the daily challenges you face when training youth?
Kim: Because Diepsloot is a township, I am not saying that township people aren’t as good as the rest of the people but the biggest barrier within DiepTweets would be the use of English and also the confidence of the students.
YV: What is the biggest challenge facing DiepTweets?
Kim: The biggest challenge at the moment would be finding new clients. I guess because we are so young and also because of where we come from, but we rather see it as an advantage.
YV: Where/How do you get funding?
Kim: Right now we are being funded by a company called York Zucchi & Partners (YZP), a company that does investments and entrepreneurship in Africa. But it’s not that large amounts because we do believe that we need to be self sustainable.
YV: How many events have you attended so far?
Kim: Around 70 events.
YV: Which event did you attend that stands out for you?
Kim: It was the one with Trevor Manuel where he was giving a speech on the national plan that they have for the future of South Africa. I really enjoyed that one and there is another one coming up called Tech4Africa which is actually our biggest clients. It’s all about technology in Africa and It will take place at the Indaba hotel on the 31st of October.
YV: How do you conduct your research within the community?
Kim: I think it always helps to have people who are on the ground. We also work for an organization called Ubuntu Photo Club and they work closely to the counsellor of Diepsloot, so that helps as well.
YV: What do you think inspires the youth within the community?
Kim: They are inspired by the events they attend and by watching other people succeed and hearing their stories of how they got to where they are. They also inspired by hearing of opportunities that are awaiting them.
YV: Your biggest achievement running Dieptweets?
Kim: Being a media partner for Cape for Africa and we did a talk in Cape Town where we addressed teenagers who we share similar backgrounds and the feedback we got really had a bigger impact on the youth in Diepsloot.
YV: Where is Dieptweets based?
Kim: DiepTweets is based in Diepsloot and we also have an office in Hyde Park.
YV: Your advice to other communities that want to start youth projects?
Kim: If you have an idea and passionate about it go for it and you love it. The only thing stopping you from doing it is yourself. No matter how small your idea is just go out there and be the best that you can be. The youth needs to realise that they are the future of tomorrow and without them there is no tomorrow. So they need to stand up and live!.
KIM PILAELO CHIEF TWIT and CO-FOUNDER
For More Info:
Follow DiepTweets:
Twitter: @DiepTweets
