Mathlomola Moapola
Science, Tech, Energy, and Innovation
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Age:
34
Project Name/Description:
Teacher – Chokwe Primary School
In the heart of Limpopo, at Chokwe Primary School, Mathlomola Moapola is quietly igniting a revolution in education. Driven by a deep passion for learning and a belief in every child's potential, he says he is faced with the daunting task of launching a coding and robotics club without a single resource. But rather than give up, he called on the community for help. Parents responded with bags of old wires and bottle caps, businesses donated tools, and social media amplified his call. From scraps, Moapola built innovation. He believes that his dedication has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized by the US Embassy for completing two prestigious teacher training programs through the University of Oregon. Furthermore, he was named Best Primary School Teacher at the National Teaching Awards, and during the Education Changemakers program, he delivered a 60-second pitch that earned him a R35,000 grant, sponsored by the Trevor Noah Foundation and USAID. “Now a certified trainer for ThinkShift’s Spike Prime Coding and Robotics kit, I remain steadfast in my mission to empower the next generation. I measure my impact by the success of my learners, and I envision a future where my students thrive in STEAM careers, equipped with the skills of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” He says he dreams of building an organisation dedicated to education innovation—and hopes to be remembered as a teacher who turned dreams into possibilities, using nothing but determination, community spirit, and a whole lot of heart.
