Tangible is a project aimed at introducing learners to coding concepts without the need for computer labs, electricity or the internet. It has its origin from a BSc Honours project at Nelson Mandela University in 2017, when Byron Batteson developed the TANKS coding app.
With Leva Foundation as implementation partner, the project has evolved into a global movement across 5 continents, with various coding apps and a wide range of teacher material. In South Africa the focus is on empowering teachers from all schools with regards 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 Mandela Day. In 2025 over 50 000 learners participated. This culminated into 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.
Ryan le Roux, CEO of Leva Foundation: “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.”
The founder of Tangible, Prof Jean Greyling, acknowledged the presence of two German colleagues who have been supporting the project since 2021, with grant funding. Out of gratitude for their role, they each received a framed print of the Tangible Photo of the Year. It was taken by Sibongiseni Makeleni.
Prof Christa Grobler, Dean of Science, represented Nelson Mandela University: “As an academic it is wonderful to see that an Honours project did not end up on the shelf, but is ‘Changing the World’, as our logo states.”
A special feature of the evening was when each of the 120 delegates were asked to “build” an original painting of Nelson Mandela, through blocks from the painting which each one had received. Ryan le Roux asked them to do this, while reflecting on the role they committed to play in impacting lives.
List of Awards
Top Tangible Teacher – Coding4Mandela
ELGIN FORTUIN
With Coding4Mandela this year the emphasis was on schools hosting rather than having many central events. Numerous schools across the country took ownership of this challenge, resulting in over 50 000learners participating.
At Diazville Primary School in Saldanha real ownership was taken of Coding4Mandela, as a culmination of the regular use of our CAPS aligned lessons. Over 750 learners participated in the following: TheCoding4Mandela dance, interactive Mandela themed activities, and the Juicy Gems tournament.
Top Tangible Teacher – Chatbot Lessons
KHETHOKUHLE BHENGU
The Tangible WhatsApp Chatbot, offering weekly curriculum aligned lessons has been used by thousands of teachers across the country.
Our award winner is from Eshowe Primary School in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where, this year, she had a contract to teach Grade R. Implementing our Chatbot lessions inspired her to do an additional certificate in Coding & Robotics which highlights that our lessons are inspiring teachers.
Top Tangible Coding Club
ALLEY MCPHERSON
For Tangible to make an impact in any country, we are highly dependent on partners within communities. In addition to schools these include libraries and various NPO’s.
In Eldorado Park and surrounding areas, the Eldos Coding Club has been very active throughout the year, not only playing our coding games and Tangible Chess, but also rolling out our CAPS aligned lessons.
Over 2,000 learners were reached in regular interventions this year.
Top Tangible Ambassador
KRISH GOVENDER
Over the past few years Tangible has been relying on the work of our Regional Coordinators. From urban to rural.
In the regions around Ethekwini nearly 2000 teachers from over 350 schools have been trained in unplugged coding, over 27 districts. During Coding4Mandela 2025 over 20 000 participants came from this region, while teams from KZN have been very successful in all national and world cup coding events.
Tangible World Cup Winners
MS SABASH GOVENDER from Stanger Manor Primary, and DR MOGIE MOONSAMY, the Tangible coordinator from the Elembe District, received the awards on behalf of the schools.
For those who don’t know, we have a couple of phenomenal initiatives that take place throughout the year, one of which being the Tangible Coding World Cup.
Once again our teams made us proud. The Junior team that also took first place overall, is Stanger Manor Primary from KwaDukuza in Elembe District in Kwa-Zulu Natal. It is remarkable that the top Senior team, that took second place overall is Stanger Manor Secondary.
Tangible EdTech Inclusivity award
ROBYN FICK on behalf of Bona uBuntu
The essence of Tangible’s whole project is inclusivity. When we said that we would not exclude learners because of a lack of computer labs, electricity and the internet, it was with the understanding that the digital divide cannot be overcome if these resources are stumbling blocks.
Our coding apps for visually impaired learners include 3D printed challenges, tokens with braille, and tactile grid mats. In partnership with SADTU, these tools were introduced to schools across the country. Partially sighted and blind learners have since participated in ournaments along with sighted learners.
Tangible EdTech Innovation award
DUTOIT AND THE 11&1 TEAM.
At Leva, we take innovation seriously, and consequently the Juicy Gems Dutoit Checkers campaign in July was a definite highlight. The revolutionary concept allowed children to buy Dutoit apples from Checkers stores, scan a QR code and then download the “Secret Juicy Gems” app. Over 3000 learners across the country participated. In a different campaign using the same app, another 3000 participated in September.
Tangible EdTech Volunteer Award
THE CAPITEC TEAM
We recognise a team we had the honour to work with quite closely over the last year. Their employees stepped into coding clubs, hosted inspiring career Q&As with our learners, joined the Mandela Day tournament, and even helped pack coding kits that reached schools across the country. Their hands-on involvement has made a real, personal impact on the learners we serve.
Tangible EdTech Impact Award
AMAZON SOUTH AFRICA
This year’s Tangible EdTech Impact Award goes to one of our incredible partners, whose partnership in South Africa has transformed what is possible in digital education. From roadshows across six provinces, to supporting our WhatsApp chatbot reaching thousands of teachers, to launching the Think Big Space in Cape Town and connecting schools across the world, this partner shows how deep local impact and global participation can happen together.
