Sibusiso Vilakazi

A South African tech entrepreneur who revolutionized digital education in underserved communities.

Dr. Sibusiso Vilakazi, a visionary from Soweto, South Africa, is a trailblazer in leveraging technology to democratize education. Born in 1985, Vilakazi grew up witnessing the stark educational inequalities in post-apartheid South Africa. Determined to bridge the gap, he founded EduTech Africa in 2012, a platform delivering low-cost digital learning tools to rural schools.

Vilakazi's innovation lies in his offline-first approach, recognizing that 70% of South Africa's rural population lacks stable internet. His team developed solar-powered tablets preloaded with curricula in multiple indigenous languages, partnering with NGOs like Save the Children. By 2023, his tools reached over 500,000 students, improving math pass rates by 40% in pilot regions.

What truly makes Vilakazi make a difference is his focus on gender inclusivity. He introduced coding camps for girls, resulting in a 300% increase in female STEM enrollment. His TED Talk on 'Education as a Human Right' has inspired similar initiatives in Kenya and Nigeria.