The success story behind two SA men who built the NOVAR app
This is one of the most inspiring stories about South Africans creating something marvelous with few resources.
It never ceases to amaze us how resilient and committed some South Africans can be when they have a dream.
Regardless of their resources, they can move mountains and rise above their circumstances.
A truly inspiring story from a small village in Limpopo provides just the right amount of vigour to start our week.
Marvel Shibambu and Malunghelo Mathonsi have been the names on everybody's lips these past few weeks. These two men aim to provide everyone in South Africa with free access to education, regardless of their location or social standing.
Social media's 'Cool Story Bru' shared their story with South Africa. He shared their epic idea and how they brought it to life.
The two friends started with no access to funding or a computer, but had a vision of free education for all. They began with a second-hand PC, which they bought for R700. It was this PC and their will to learn that got them started.
They taught themselves to code using YouTube tutorials and other free online resources.
Despite their challenges, they successfully built the app NOVAR, which has been downloaded 44,000 times. They contacted Cool Story Bru for help getting the word out. Although they may have released the app, they lack the funding and resources to maintain and enhance their vision.
The app provides students with free learning resources. This includes live virtual classrooms, prerecorded lessons, discussion groups, AI bursary opportunities and more.
Shibambu and Matonsi started this app to address the lack of educational resources many South African students face.
They can accomplish that vision! Their story went viral, and they received over R160,000 through crowdfunding.
"Now their journey has reached a thrilling new milestone. Liberty Group’s #DriveHope initiative has awarded Marvel and Malunghelo R1 million in funding to scale up NOVAR and realise their vision of free education for all." (Good Things Guy)
Cool Story Bru was elated at the beginning of the month when South Africans came together in just 24 hours to raise R80,000.
Watch the video from Instagram below.
During a time when people are fighting to keep their lights and water running and provide food for their families, we still have people doing the most to get their dreams off the ground.
It is more than inspiring to see how South Africans have united to help these two innovators create a country that offers free education for all.
This is an excellent lesson for us all: If you truly want something in this world, you will find a way.
It's like the saying goes, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
Shibambu shared a short story on his Instagram detailing one of the craziest sacrifices Mathonsi made when trying to learn how to code. He left his job as a teaching assistant despite having a family to care for.
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Image Courtesy of Instagram