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12September 2022
Learning a new South African language is about connecting and progressing, says MTN Business App of the Year developer
Learning a new language presents the opportunity to build communication and understanding where there isn’t any. In a country like South Africa, for example, where 11 official languages exist side-by-side, so much is lost in translation as many people lack either the linguistic skills or confidence to communicate with others.
This is something that bothered Mukundi Lambani. She translated her concern into action, and the Ambani app – destined to win the Best Gaming Solution in the 2021 MTN Business App of the Year competition, was born. To her surprise, as her gamified language-learning app gathered a following, she saw registrations from students as far away as Europe, Australia and the USA - people far from home who didn’t want to lose touch with their language and culture.
Lambani, who started her working life in the film industry, holds a Master’s degree in Creative Technology with an emphasis on ‘augmented reality’, was uniquely positioned to bring language learning to life with games. Her added experience in teaching English as a second language in Korea helped with the practicalities of developing the user-friendly app, which has over 7,000 active users.
“Currently, the gaming app concentrates on six languages and is pitched at foundation-phase learners who can use various themes and games for practising their language skills. We are working on introducing courses that will attract learners wishing to study the languages at higher levels, including university-level,” she says.
Besides promoting understanding between people, the current app fills several practical needs, particularly for children who are required to learn an African language at school. It has also assisted teachers with resources to help learners from foundation phase - to primary school level.
“The foundation-level material is great for first-time learners. We even have adults who find it a fun way to learn and university students using the app to supplement their courses that require basic proficiency in an additional language. Presently, we are working with the University of KwaZulu-Natal to help them ‘gamify’ the introductory isiZulu course they offer to students.”
“Many young children are now speaking their mother tongue at home, but once they are at school, switch to English which is the medium of instruction. Their parents, who may not have the required English skills, are enrolling in English modules so that they can help their kids,” says Lambani.
“South Africans living abroad who have children in foreign school systems are also subscribing so that their kids - who may have been born overseas - can get coaching in their mother tongues and stay in touch with the culture.”
The language most in demand locally, with city-dwellers leading the way, is isiZulu.
Lambani, who was a reluctant entrant in the MTN Business App of the Year Awards in 2021 and only took part because a friend urged her to do so, is now leading a different life. The prize money received, she says, has enabled her to work full-time at improving Ambani by adding features such as instructional books and new course levels.
“The MTN Business App of the Year award changed my life. It transformed what was an interest into a business and opened the way for us to be selected for platforms like ‘Big Ads for Small Business’, which Hollard Insurance sponsors. This has helped with the marketing of Ambani and brought students to the app.”
“The selection of Ambani as the winner of the 2021 Best Gaming Solution category facilitated another objectives of these awards - helping people improve their lives. The ability to speak a language breaks barriers, as learning brings an appreciation of another person’s culture and the factors that impact their everyday lives”, says Kholofelo Magagane, Head of Marketing at MTN Business.
“It is heartening to see that many young developers have linked building a viable business with simultaneously promoting the common good”, continues Magagane.
“We are looking forward to the 2022 event in October as we once again build the platform for budding entrepreneurs, those launching start-ups and app-based products and services to showcase their talents and participate to win a share of R1 million in what has become the nation’s premier digital event offering” concludes Magagane.
Entrants are encouraged to watch www.appoftheyear.co.za for updates as the event draws closer.
-End-
ISSUED BY:
Leigh-Ann Chetty, Senior Manager: Public Relations, MTN SA
Cell: 083 209 1310
E-mail: Leigh-Ann.Chetty@mtn.com
Mthokozisi Ndlovu, Manager: Communications and Public Relations, MTN SA
Cell: 083 209 2683
E-mail: Mthokozisi.Ndlovu@mtn.com
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