The business was started to help change how learners see Maths and Science. In South Africa, these subjects are often seen as difficult, intimidating, and only meant for a certain type of learner. The Learning Space believes that Maths and Science are languages, just like English or Setswana. The difference is that STEM is the language of the universe, and once a learner becomes fluent in it, they become better able to solve complex problems and engage with the world differently.
The idea became more real for them during university, when helping a group of first-year students with a subject they were struggling with. It was something that came naturally, but through working with them saw how much of the challenge was not ability, but mindset, support, and approach. Watching them improve made Ernest realise that he had something meaningful to offer in education. That mattered even more to him because coming from a township context, where strong STEM education is often not accessible enough, and where many young people are discouraged from seeing themselves as capable in these subjects. At the heart of it, he wants to help learners see the beauty in these subjects and connect them to their own hopes and dreams.
Ernest believes curiosity changes everything. People often say you can take a donkey to the river, but you can’t make it drink. His view is that our job is to make the donkey thirsty. If we can make learners curious, help them see purpose, and show them what is possible, they will start seeking knowledge for themselves. That is the shift he wanted to be part of, and that is why he started the business. In future, the Learning Space wants to become a real authority in STEM education. While they initially served mainly higher LSM communities, over the last year they have seen how technology can help break that barrier.
Through social media lives and video conferencing platforms, the company been able to offer quality educational support to learners across the affordability spectrum. That has shown that access does not have to be limited by geography or income if the right systems are in place. As they grow, The Learning Space becomes a scalable learning support ecosystem that uses technology to maintain the quality and personal support, while bringing that service to far more learners. That means building stronger digital platforms, better learning resources, and smarter ways to track learner progress and support parents.
Ultimately, they see themselves growing into a trusted STEM education brand that is not only helping learners improve academically but also changing how they see themselves and what they believe is possible for their future.
Nominee: Ernest Rangaka