Highlights from South African EdTech Week 2023: Injini's EdTech Safari
Injini recently hosted the second annual South African EdTech Week in Cape Town, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Wesgro. This event brought together a diverse community of passionate individuals determined to expand access to quality education across the African continent. Over the course of three enlightening days, several thought-provoking discussions took place, emphasising the pressing need for quality education in South Africa and across the continent.
The event also showcased the immense potential of EdTech initiatives, with many companies participating in the "EdTech Safari" exhibition. Below, meet some of the remarkable EdTech companies that took part in this event, each making a difference in the education landscape.
Afrika Tikkun Bambanani
Afrika Tikkun Bambanani is on a mission to provide early childhood development resources to underprivileged and rural communities. They empower educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver effective education. Through assessments and programs, Afrika Tikkun Bambanani has achieved a 50% increase in school readiness among 5-year-olds. Their motto, "No child should be left behind," embodies their dedication to uplifting children in need and building a brighter future for all.
Read more about Afrika Tikkun Bambanani here.
Ambani Africa
Ambani Africa employs augmented reality, animation, and gamification to create learner-focused products for language learning. They offer a free language app with six African language options, making language learning engaging and accessible.
Read more about Ambani Africa here.
Buzz Kidz
Buzz Kidz offers integrated drama, dance, and singing workshops designed to promote social skills and confidence development in children. Recognising the importance of creative arts in children's psycho-social and emotional growth, Buzz Kidz creates original children's content, including music, podcasts, and a television program. They also provide teacher training to enhance creativity in the classroom.
Read more about Buzz Kidz here.
CapaCiTi
CapaCiTi Digital Career Accelerator, the skills development arm of UVU Africa, focuses on building a future-fit, inclusive society through technology and innovation. Their innovative training programs prepare young South African talent with in-demand digital skills, laying the foundation for successful careers.
Read more about CapaCiTi here.
ChinguBots
ChinguBots offers high-quality robotics kits and educational resources to spark young minds' passion for learning. Their products enhance STEAM education, fostering skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. They support educators with personalised consultations and curriculum integration, making robotics education accessible and engaging.
Read more about ChinguBots here.
Click Learning
Click Learning is a not-for-profit organisation that provides technology-enabled numeracy and literacy programs in underserved schools in South Africa to improve learning outcomes.
Read more about Click Learning here.
Code4Kids
Code4Kids is a program that empowers teachers to teach coding, robotics, and other ICT skills to students from Grades 4 - 9. They offer curriculum-aligned lessons with multiple coding languages in a fun and easy-to-learn environment.
Read more about Code4Kids here.
Digify Africa
Digify Africa is dedicated to creating accessible digital skills and literacy for young people. Their mission is to ensure that all young people can access quality digital education, providing opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in the digital economy.
Read more about Digify Africa here.
The Elements Project by Kingdom Kome
The Elements Project wants to impact South African education by creating curriculum-aligned content designed to inspire and inform students, particularly in grades 7, 8 and 9. With each season, this innovative initiative explores the lives of relatable public figures, sparking engaging conversations and connecting students with real-world experiences. By merging technology-based education with the wisdom and insights of inspiring role models, The Elements Project aims to empower a new generation of well-rounded learners, all while offering valuable lessons that are adaptable and relevant to education environments worldwide.
Read more about The Elements Project here.
Fundza Literacy Trust
The Fundza Literacy Trust is an inspiring initiative that promotes a love of reading and develops the next generation of leaders through innovative programs. They use locally written, engaging reading materials to ignite a passion for learning, empowering future generations of South Africans to shape their communities and build a brighter future.
Read more about the Fundza Literacy Trust here.
Inspire Africa Group
Inspire Africa Group offers blended educational and technological programs for students and educators, focusing on 21st Century skills and 4th Industrial Revolution technologies. Their online and offline curricula cover subjects like coding, 3D printing, robotics, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things, empowering learners with cutting-edge skills.
Read more about Inspire Africa Group here.
Matric Live
Matric Live specialises in crafting educational technology solutions, offering a comprehensive learning experience that includes contextual, visual, social, and gamified elements. Their focus is on practical learning, going beyond theory to engage students effectively.
Read more about Matric Live here.
Reflective Learning
Reflective Learning is an online learning support tool designed to help teachers and learners close learning gaps. Their goal is to provide learners and teachers with the tools and insights they need to bridge gaps and unlock their learning potential.
Read more about Reflective Learning here.
Resolute Education
Resolute Education is a trail-blazing EdTech company that makes learning fun, exciting, and interactive through coding, engineering, and data science courses. Their courses challenge learners to use their creative and practical skills and are suitable for students in schools and tertiary institutions.
Read more about Resolute Education here.
Watobe
Watobe provides large online classrooms as an affordable and scalable solution to teaching learners at scale, addressing teacher shortages across the continent.
Read more about Watobe here.
Yenza
Yenza offers smart career technology that guides individuals in successful career pathways. Their platform combines psychometrics, data science, and intelligent design to help learners and graduates become highly employable for the modern economy.
Read more about Yenza here.
Zaio
Zaio is an AI-Powered online coding school for Africa, offering interactive courses, coding challenges, and assignments with AI assistance. They not only teach coding but also help learners secure their first job in the IT industry, empowering African youth with IT skills and career opportunities.
Read more about Zaio here.
As EdTech continues to evolve, we can look forward to more innovative solutions that will shape the future of education for generations to come.