david@schouw:~$ whoami
Software test analyst. Musician. Builder of things.
Rider of iron. Keeper of a corn snake named Kellog.
about
The specs behind the operator.
Based in Cape Town, I spend my time breaking software for a living — as a Software Test Analyst at a major FinTech company, it's my job to find what everyone else missed.
Outside of work, the workshop is always open. Whether I'm wiring up a scale model, researching a medieval blade, running through a piece on the piano, or listening to the Harley idle on a quiet morning — there's always something on the bench.
This site is my corner of the internet. No fluff, no clutter — just the things that matter.
interests
The things that keep the system running.
Piano
Two Roland digital pianos. Playing is thinking in a different language — one that doesn't require tests to pass.
Roland · DigitalSoprano Saxophone
A single horn that can fill a room. The saxophone is where structure meets improvisation.
Soprano · StudioHarley-Davidson
A Sportster that rumbles through Cape Town's streets. Two wheels, no noise-cancelling needed.
Sportster · IronAncient Swords
Blades from civilisations long gone. Each sword is an engineering marvel — metallurgy before metallurgy had a name.
Historical · EdgedScale Models — 1:12
Motorcycle models in 1:12 scale. Precision at a fraction of the size — patience required, results satisfying.
1:12 · MotorcycleKellog
Corn snake. Resident of the studio, unbothered by music at all hours. Possibly the most chill being in the household.
Corn Snake · Studiostudio
A private space. Music, scales, snakes — and the occasional late-night session.
Roland Digital Piano × 2
Two Roland keyboards in the studio. One for practice, one for the moments that don't feel like practice at all.
ACTIVESoprano Saxophone
A soprano sax that lives in the studio between sessions. Bright, direct, cuts right through the air.
ACTIVEKellog's Enclosure
The corn snake has claimed the studio as shared territory. Temperature-controlled, well-lit, and entirely unbothered.
RESIDENTPrivate Room
The studio is a closed system. No interruptions. No notifications. Just signal.
PRIVATEStudio Resident
Kellog Corn snake. Cold-blooded studio companion. Shares the room but refuses to contribute to the music.
Current Signal
Music in progress
Studio Status
Private · Cape Town, ZA
Open: whenever the door is closed.
builds
Things assembled with patience and a steady hand.
Scale Model · 1:12
Motorcycle Collection
1:12 scale motorcycle models. Every bolt, every panel, every detail — at a twelfth of the size. The Harley influence is obvious.
ongoing collection
Collection · Historical
Ancient Blades
Swords spanning civilisations and centuries. Each piece is a study in metallurgy, craftsmanship, and the people who carried them.
actively curated
Iron · Road
Harley-Davidson Sportster
Not a model. The real thing. A Sportster maintained and ridden through Cape Town. Every ride is a field test.
road ready
tech
The professional side of the workbench.
Role
Software Test Analyst
Breaking things professionally
Domain
FinTech
Enterprise scale systems
Focus
QA & Testing
Finding what others missed
Passion
Computers & Tech
All of it. Always has been.
contact
Ping me. Response time varies depending on studio activity.
Location
Cape Town, South Africa
david@schouw.co.za
Domain
schouw.co.za
Response
When the snake's not demanding attention