Lungile Lolo Maile
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Project Name/Description:
Founder, Nubian Smarts
Maile is an inspiring entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Nubian Smarts, an EdTech company dedicated to democratising access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education for children in under served communities.
Her solid background is in operations management, where she spent over a decade leading various teams for multinational companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Heineken Beverages.
Maile says she is driven by a passion for education and a desire to equip young people with the skills needed for the future. She says Nubian Smarts was founded with the mission to bring quality STEAM education to early childhood centres in peri-urban and remote areas. Through innovative solutions such as the Numaths Kids App, Culinary Coding Creativity Box, and hands-on workshops, Nubian Smarts is bridging the educational gap and empowering the next generation of African leaders.
In recognition of her impactful work, Maile was one of eighteen entrepreneurs selected for the prestigious University of Toronto entrepreneurship programme through the African Impact Challenge. This programme has provided her with the tools, mentorship and global network to further her mission of ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality STEAM education.
She believes in Madiba’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
“This quote resonates deeply with my commitment to using education as a tool to empower young minds and transform communities.”
She concludes: “The future of our world is only as bright as the contributions of women who are empowered to innovate and lead My work in STEAM education is paving the way for more women and girls to enter and excel in tech.”
