Nina Oosthuizen is a Technical Writer at DVT, a Dynamic Technologies group company. She works with MultiChoice, bridging the gap between business and dev teams as a Content Manager and as an Umbraco CMS specialist.
Nina’s career began as a journalist where she worked closely with welfare organisations such as Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW). “I also reported on the violent realities of Durban Deep, the effects on children and illegal mining.” In 2015 she was awarded the Ethical Reporting on Children Award by Save the Children International for her special focus reporting on children. She completed her master’s degree on the digital disruption of journalistic identity, focusing on the SABC where she worked, before transitioning into tech.
Oosthuizen says, “After five years in hard news at the SABC, both on the streets and in the studios, I realised I couldn’t mentally handle the daily dose of bad news anymore. I moved into freelancing to chase happier stories where I ended up taking on roles I hadn’t expected and learning as I went. What started as a contract tech gig ended up fitting me so well that I never left, and now I am a Technical Writer and Content Manager for MultiChoice.” In this role, a key part of her work is keeping content aligned with CI and design standards and creating SEO-friendly pages in Umbraco.
Nina credits Nadine van der Merwe, Division Head: Outsourced Cloud Projects at DVT, with bringing her into the fold and helping her develop her technical skills through courses in technical writing, APIs, system processes and Azure. The senior developers on her team at MultiChoice – Yossi Neimann and Patrick Maloney, as well as the former Head of Web, Cara Daly – were also instrumental in her success in her new career. “I worked hard to catch up, but it was their guidance and mentorship that built me into the professional I am today, and I will be forever grateful to each of them.”
A natural problem solver, Nina is now focused on user journeys and site performance. “I make sure content works after the devs have built it. I also annoy them endlessly with corrections, bugs and suggestions, but I make up for it with my charm and wit. They tolerate me because humour can make chaos bearable!” On a more serious note, she says her previous experiences help her in what can be a high-pressure environment.
“I can handle an insane amount of pressure while keeping a cool head,” she explains. “I thrive in chaotic circumstances. Projects can go from zero to a hundred on a random Tuesday, and it’s this constant adapting that I love. I enjoy multitasking, problem-solving on the fly and navigating the chaos. Not every day is like that, but when those intense days hit, I’m in my element.”
Oosthuizen also works with Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA) and Specialist Technical Animal Rescue (STAR). As a journalist she observed and reported, but the urge to get involved and help was always fierce. “One evening at a braai with friends who work in animal rescue, we got a call about a horse stuck on an island in the middle of a raging river in Kimberley. They asked if I wanted to help and I said yes. Normally I’d be behind the camera or writing the story, but this time I was part of the team, running equipment, driving, doing whatever was needed – and I loved every moment. I signed up there and then as a volunteer and trainee, and after about two years I became a callout member for SARZA. Being hands-on during rescues has settled my need for purpose and it’s a way to give back and help.”
For Oosthuizen, the DVT ethos of diversity by inclusion is something she lives by. “To me it means no one should be left behind, undermined or bullied because of who they are. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and empowered to contribute. Inclusion drives better teamwork, creativity and a respectful workplace. We’re human beings at the end of the day, and in a world that often forgets this, no one should ever feel worthless. We all have something to contribute and when harnessed together, our differences become a strength.”
It's this passion that led her to start Queer Paws. A WhatsApp group for older lesbians in Gauteng was not something she planned to do, but an off-the-cuff video she uploaded to social media one day while walking her dog resulted in an overwhelming response. She says, “I realised there was a demand for a space where queer women could just make friends. We started with a handful of people, and now the community has over 530 members across 49 groups. These range from area-specific meetups (JHB, PTA, East Rand, West Rand) to interest-based groups such as writers, gardening, fishing and camping, and even health-focused groups covering mental health, sexual wellness, gym and weight loss.”
People tend to find the group organically, and either direct message her on TikTok (@bipolarmillenial) or get added through friends. For Oosthuizen, it’s about the community and creating a safe space – even if that means pulling out her head girl voice when necessary. She says, “It’s been amazing to see the community grow, and while I’m excited to see where it goes from here, I’m happy with a slow burn. I want people to know that they are not alone and that there’s a space where they can feel accepted for who they are and find like-minded people to do things with.”
