Amazon today announced the launch of its first Think Big Space on the African continent at its Cape Town headquarters, expanding its global network of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

In partnership with Tangible Africa, a non-profit organization, the initiative aims to train 100 educators to reach 10,000 learners (Grades 8-12) across six South African provinces: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape. The program focuses on foundational coding and digital skills development, addressing critical gaps in STEM education.

Bridging the STEM Education Gap in South Africa

Learners in rural and township schools across South Africa continue to face significant barriers to quality STEM education. According to UNESCO, sub-Saharan Africa needs an additional 6.3 million teachers to achieve universal primary education by 2030, with STEM subjects being particularly underserved. The Amazon Think Big Space in South Africa tackles these challenges through an innovative, low-tech approach designed to align with the Department of Basic Education’s newly introduced robotics and coding curriculum.

The Think Big Space provides educators with comprehensive training programs, teaching resources, and ongoing support via Tangible Africa’s WhatsApp portal. This model ensures that teachers become force multipliers in their communities, extending the program’s reach beyond physical classrooms. By leveraging partnerships with established non-profits, the initiative is tailored to South Africa’s unique educational needs.

A Commitment to Sustainable Impact

“This Think Big Space underscores Amazon’s deep commitment to improving sustainable educational impact in South Africa,” said Zelda van der Linde, HR Director at Amazon Web Services (EMEA and South Africa). “By focusing on educator development, we are creating lasting change that reaches far beyond the Think Big Space’s walls.”

Educators selected for the program will receive four hours of intensive training in block coding fundamentals, followed by 20 hours of online self-directed learning. Tangible Africa will provide continuous support throughout the academic year, ensuring teachers remain confident in delivering coding and robotics lessons.

Beyond the Classroom: Expanding Opportunities

The Cape Town Think Big Space will host field trips, boot camps, and flexible before-and-after-school programs, making STEM education more accessible to young learners. Additionally, the space will serve as a hub for Amazon’s employee resource groups and community outreach initiatives, reinforcing the company’s commitment to being Earth’s Best Employer.

Educators who have engaged with the program have already expressed enthusiasm. “I am super excited to be a part of your Teacher Support Program,” said Alley McPherson, Founder of Early Childhood Development’s United for Greatness. “The lessons are so simple to understand and follow. In addition, the chatbot application is amazing! It navigated me through everything I wanted to know with ease.”

How to Get Involved

Educators interested in participating can apply through Tangible Africa’s website at https://tangible.levafoundation.org/ or by emailing [email protected]. The program is fully funded by Amazon, with no cost to participating schools or teachers.

A Step Toward a Brighter Future

The launch of Amazon’s Think Big Space in Cape Town marks a significant milestone in expanding STEM education across Africa. By empowering educators with the tools and knowledge to teach coding and robotics, Amazon and Tangible Africa are helping to build a future where South African learners—regardless of their background—can thrive in an increasingly digital world.

With this initiative, Amazon continues to demonstrate its long-term investment in South Africa’s education system, ensuring that the benefits of technology and innovation reach even the most underserved communities.

How Shein, Temu And Amazon Are Shaking Up South Africa’s E-Commerce Boom?

By Staff Writer2024-11-29Updated:2024-12-05No Comments6 Mins Read

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South Africa’s retail sector has been grappling with weak economic conditions, characterised by stagnant inflation-adjusted GDP over the past five years, persistently high unemployment, and elevated inflation. While consumer spending on essentials like groceries has seen a minor uptick in recent years, discretionary spending on items such as apparel, home goods, and electronics has decreased significantly.

Over the next five years, South African consumers’ resilience will continue to be tested, with economists predicting a modest 2% annual real GDP growth. According to a survey released by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled Foreign e-tailers are here! Is South African e-commerce ready? around 20% of consumers are less optimistic than they were two years ago, 80% reported stagnant or declining household incomes, and nearly 20% plan to increase their loans. “Although the post-election period has brought a slight boost in optimism, the survey highlights a more burdened consumer with an increased reliance on credit,” said Vishakha Chopra, Project Lead in BCG’s Consumer Practice.

Vishakha added that amidst this challenging retail landscape, e-commerce presents a silver lining: “Even against the backdrop of a weakened retail sector, e-commerce has grown by over 30% annually since 2019, driven by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, favourable regulations like stricter data privacy laws, and service improvements such as Takealot’s same-day delivery and Checkers Sixty60’s 1-hour delivery service. Our research further shows that one in every three South Africans with internet access has shopped online in the past 12 months – a trend that is on the rise.”

The relatively small South African e-commerce industry, accounting for approximately 5-7% of the retail market is, according to market estimates, expected to boom with an annual growth rate exceeding 20% over the next five years. As typically seen in nascent markets that are low on the maturity curve, the local e-commerce landscape is currently characterised by a high degree of fragmentation, with several competitors. As the market matures, it is expected to follow the consolidation pattern observed in more digitally mature markets globally, often stabilising with two major generalist retailers dominating about 50% of the market.