Haibo Phanda was born from a simple, powerful idea.
We saw the incredible potential of AI, but also the growing digital divide.
What the name means
- Haibo! The spark of excitement when you learn something new.
- Phanda! The South African spirit of resilience: to hustle and thrive.
Where we started
We began by teaching AI digital literacy, free of charge, to young South Africans and small businesses. That work showed us where the divide is widest: a learner cannot use a tool that does not speak her language.
Where we focus now
Today we put our effort into two things.
- AI-guided numeracy in a learner's own language. Maths questions read aloud in authentic isiXhosa, clicks and numbers included. AI Maths
- Financial literacy. The maths of everyday money, taught the same way: read it, hear it, practise it. Financial Literacy
Twenty schools in the rural Eastern Cape are already doing maths in isiXhosa.
Who we work with
- Matific provided the curriculum.
- Click Learning provided the schools, the hardware and the teachers.
- The Eastern Cape Department of Education supported the rollout.
- Summitwebcraft built the isiXhosa voice and the clicks.
The organisation
Haibo Phanda is a registered non-profit organisation. NPO registration 319-995.