the communities that use them. From mobile applications to online platforms, young people often interact with technology as consumers rather than creators.

For Teboho Motsukoane, a Bachelor of Education student at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus, that reality presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The student entrepreneur is developing Nexa Pals, an educational technology platform designed to introduce young learners to coding and software development in a way that feels engaging, accessible, and relevant.

His vision extends beyond teaching technical skills. He wants to help equip a new generation of young people with the tools needed to participate in an increasingly digital world and to see themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers, and technology creators.

Making coding accessible for the next generation

Nexa Pals was created to address a problem Motsukoane believes many young learners face when they are introduced to computer science.

Existing learning platforms often miss the mark. Some are designed for very young children and fail to challenge learners as they grow older, while others are so technical that they can feel intimidating to beginners.

Motsukoane wanted to create a different experience.

Nexa Pals uses interactive learning activities, visual elements, and gamified features to introduce coding concepts to learners between the ages of 10 and 14. Instead of approaching software development as a complicated subject reserved for experts, Nexa Pals presents it as something learners can explore, understand, and enjoy.

“The project was created to address the point where young learners abandon computer science because existing tools are either too childish or overly dry and intimidating,” he explains.

At its core, the initiative aims to bridge a gap that extends beyond the classroom. South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, while technology companies around the world struggle to fill positions requiring digital skills. Motsukoane believes early exposure to coding and technology can help prepare young people for opportunities in an evolving economy.

He also sees the platform as a way of supporting schools that may not have access to specialised software development educators or resources.

By working with schools, Nexa Pals seeks to make coding education more accessible while providing learners with opportunities to engage with concepts that are often unavailable in traditional learning environments.

Building confidence through technology

Although the platform is still under development, early testing has produced encouraging results. Motsukoane says learners respond particularly well to the platform’s interactive design and instant feedback features. More importantly, they begin to realise that technology is something they can actively build rather than simply use.

One of the most rewarding moments, he says, is watching learners gain confidence as they engage with concepts that initially seemed beyond their reach.

For Motsukoane, coding is about more than preparing young people for careers in technology. He believes digital skills help develop logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and analytical skills that can be applied across a range of fields and professions. “Advanced digital literacy is the fundamental requirement for entering the modern global workforce,” he says.

Building a technology startup while pursuing university studies has presented its own challenges. He says balancing academic commitments with product development has required discipline, careful planning, and a willingness to adapt. The process has also exposed him to the realities of entrepreneurship, from budgeting and compliance requirements to ensuring that an idea can be transformed into a sustainable solution.

As South Africa observes Youth Month, Motsukoane sees young people as active participants in shaping the country’s future, rather than passive observers waiting for opportunities to emerge. Through Nexa Pals, he hopes to help more young people gain access to skills that can open doors, expand possibilities, and prepare them for a world increasingly driven by technology.

Backed by the UFS Business Incubator, the next phase of the project includes completing the platform’s development, launching a pilot programme with local learners, and expanding access to schools.