In a momentous event that celebrated both innovation and legacy, Afrika Tikkun Bambanani introduced its groundbreaking educational app, “Bamba Learn,” to the Bitou community. The launch took place at the newly completed Sabrina Love Farm, a site rich with meaning as it was built in memory of Sabrina Lubner, cherished daughter of Tony and Suzy Lubner. The farm, dedicated to providing state-of-the-art education, therapy, and support to disabled children, served as the perfect setting for this significant occasion.
The Lubner family, known for their deep commitment to social upliftment, continues to honour the legacy of Bertie Lubner, the visionary founder of Afrika Tikkun. His passion for education and equal opportunity lives on through initiatives like “Bamba Learn,” which was introduced to 22 principals from local Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Each principal received a tablet equipped with the app, marking a new chapter in early childhood education for the Bitou community.
“Bamba Learn,” tailored for children aged 2-6 years, is an innovative digital adaptation of the internationally certified Bambanani Curriculum. Designed in the form of a game, the app is a beacon of educational excellence, having already received awards for its outstanding pedagogy. It aims to provide all children, regardless of their background, with access to high-quality education, embodying the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—and education as a path to justice and equality.
Theresa Michael and Tessa Forman, founders of the Bambanani programme, highlighted the app’s success and the broader impact of the curriculum during the launch. Since its inception, the programme has expanded across all nine provinces of South Africa, benefiting 260 schools and positively influencing the lives of over 20,000 children. The initiative has also empowered 1,500 teachers, furthering its reach and effectiveness.
“Bamba Learn” has been recognised not only for its educational innovation but also for its potential to effect global change, having been selected by the Mastercard Foundation to scale across Africa. This international recognition underscores the app’s ability to transform early childhood education on a continent-wide scale.
Children engaged with the programme have demonstrated remarkable improvements of 40-50% across key learning outcomes, reflecting the app’s efficacy in providing equal educational opportunities.
The launch of “Bamba Learn” at Sabrina Love Farm is a powerful tribute to the Lubner family’s enduring legacy, continuing Bertie Lubner’s mission to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive through education. This event not only marked the beginning of a new era for early childhood education in the Bitou community but also affirmed the Lubner family’s unwavering dedication to making a lasting difference in the lives of South Africa’s children.
