The first-ever Tangible EdTech Awards celebrated an educational innovation that is bringing essential coding concepts to learners everywhere, regardless of their access to computer labs, electricity, or the internet.
Cape Town, South Africa (24 November 2025) – In today’s fast-evolving and technology-driven world, helping young people gain essential 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity is crucial for their future careers. That’s where coding and robotics come into play as pivotal tools for development.
Through the Tangible project, the Leva Foundation has introduced learners to coding concepts in a unique way – without the need for computer labs, electricity, or even internet access.
This innovative approach strives to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to engage with technology and prepare themselves for the challenges of the future. The Tangible project has its origin in a BSc Honours project at Nelson Mandela University in 2017, when Byron Batteson developed the TANKS coding app.
With Leva Foundation as the implementation partner, the project has evolved into a global movement across five continents, with various coding apps and a wide range of teacher materials.
In South Africa, the focus is on empowering teachers from all schools with regard to the future implementation of the gazetted Coding and Robotics curricula. One of the main tools is a WhatsApp Chatbot, used to distribute free CAPS-aligned lessons for Grades R to 7.
Tangible’s other flagship project is #Coding4Mandela, linked to the annual Mandela Day. In 2025, over 50,000 learners participated. This culminated in the Tangible World Cup in September, where 340 teams from 30 countries participated. The World Cup was presented in collaboration with Amazon’s Think Big spaces.
Recently, the first-ever Tangible EdTech Awards were awarded at a prestigious awards gala dinner in Cape Town on Wednesday evening, 19 November, honouring those who have helped bring the vision of technology-skilled, collaborative, resilient and youth to life.
Related Story
“We are proud to honour individuals and organisations for their deep local impact and wide, large-scale impact to provide access and opportunity to all learners,” said Ryan le Roux, CEO of Leva Foundation.
The founder of Tangible, Prof Jean Greyling, added:
“This concept of #ChangingLives has been at the centre of Tangible’s vision from the start. Based on Mandela’s famous quote, we believe that the son of a Farm Worker can become a Data Scientist, and the daughter of a Bank Teller can become a software developer.”
Prof Christa Grobler, Dean of Science at Nelson Mandela University, said that as an academic, it was wonderful to see that an Honours project did not end up on the shelf, but is ‘Changing the World”, as their logo states.
Tangible EdTech Award Winners
Top Tangible Teacher for Coding4Mandela: Elgin Fortuin
Top Tangible Teacher for Chatbot Lessons: Khethokuhle Bhengu
Top Tangible Coding Club: Alley McPherson
Top Tangible Ambassador: Krish Govender
Tangible World Cup Winners: Ms Sabash Govender from Stanger Manor Primary, and DR Mogie Moonsamy, the Tangible coordinator from the Elembe District
Tangible EdTech Innovation Award: Du Toit and The 11&1 Team
Tangible EdTech Inclusivity Award: Bona Ubuntu, represented by Robyn Fick
Tangible EdTech Volunteer Award: Capitec
Tangible EdTech Impact: Amazon South Africa
For more information on the Tangible project, contact Prof Greyling at jean.greyling@mandela.ac.za
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 