The Freelance Life, part of Gigabites, is a series of short interviews with top Rafiki freelancers in Africa. We recently caught up with Bulumko Papu, a South African Webflow Developer to hear about his journey into freelancing, his favourite plugins or freelance tools, and any freelance trends he's noticing.
Why did you decide to become a freelancer?
I became a freelance developer because I enjoy bringing designs to life. Turning a vision into a tangible reality that exists on the web is really rewarding for me.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to up-and-coming freelancers in Africa?
I would advise them not to be afraid of being an apprentice in someone else's business first. A lot of agencies and established freelancers are looking for extra hands and are willing to take someone with less experience under their wing. You can do this for a bit then go on to launch your business. This is how I got started.
What’s currently your favourite plugin or tool? Why?
My favourite plugin is a tool called 'Finsweet Attributes' by Finsweet. They have really cool tools that extend Webflow's native functionality.
What’s a trend you’re seeing amongst other freelancers, or a prediction for the year?
I've noticed a significant trend emerging in the agency landscape over the past few years, and it's something I've experienced firsthand. It seems that more and more agencies are shifting towards working with freelancers rather than hiring full-time employees. This shift is not only something I've observed but also something I've actively participated in.
From my perspective, this trend makes a lot of sense for both agencies and freelancers alike. For agencies, it offers a way to reduce the pressure of maintaining consistent cash flow and revenue, especially during uncertain times. On the freelancers' side, it presents an opportunity to take on diverse projects, earn more, and have greater control over their time.
I've seen firsthand how revenue and cash flow issues within agencies can lead to job loss, which has prompted many businesses to explore alternative staffing models. Moreover, traditional employees are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and autonomy that freelancing offers. This growing trend of businesses seeking short-term resources and employees opting for project-based work is something I see continuing to gain traction, especially within the agency space.
Overall, it's a fascinating evolution in the way businesses and individuals approach work, and I'm excited to see how it continues to unfold in the future.
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