Liberty, part of Standard Bank’s Insurance and Asset Management Business, has pledged R1 million in funding, office space at its Braamfontein campus, and access to business resources to the creators of educational app NOVAR.
The contribution comes after a TikTok video from content creator Cool Story Bru shared the story of two self-taught developers from Gumbani village in Limpopo, Marvel Shibambu and Malunghelo Mathonsi, who built an app aimed at improving access to learning materials for high school students.
The video captured the attention of many including the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies which approached Liberty about partnering to support the entrepreneurs.
With no formal training, no equipment, and only R700 saved to buy a second-hand PC, the pair taught themselves to code through YouTube and created NOVAR – an app offering free learning content for South Africa’s youth.
In just five months, it has been downloaded more than 50,000 times.
Amelia Beattie, Head of Business Efficiencies, Property and Sustainable Impact, at Standard Bank Insurance and Asset Management says NOVAR is a natural fit for Liberty’s education-led impact strategy.
“We believe education is the most powerful driver of long-term economic freedom. What excites us about NOVAR is that it’s African-born, future-facing, and already making a difference — with over 50,000 learners using the platform,” she says. “This isn’t a hand-me-down solution; it’s built by young Africans, for Africans, with content that prepares our youth for tomorrow’s economy. Our support is not just about funding — it’s about leading a movement that redefines education and repositions corporate social investment as a catalyst for real, systemic change.”
As part of Liberty’s #DriveHope campaign, the R1 million contribution will allow NOVAR to scale up its offering and keeping its initial promise of making all learning material free, helping to close the education gap and support learners – especially matrics – during exam season. The objective of #DriveHope is to encourage individuals to show acts of kindness and spread hope within their communities to make a meaningful difference.
“We never imagined we’d come this far,” said Marvel Shibambu. “We’re so grateful to Liberty, and every single person who believed in us. When we started this platform, our vision was to create something which was free and would change education in South Africa. This is just the beginning.”
Over the next 12 months, NOVAR is expected to have a profound impact on education access and quality across the continent. The platform aims to reach more than 500,000 learners in South Africa and other African countries, delivering over 1,000 hours of interactive educational content. Importantly, more than 10,000 rural learners will gain access to live sessions and tutorials — bringing education to communities that have long been left behind.
The partnership was formalised this week at a media event hosted in Johannesburg, where the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, joined representatives from Liberty, and NOVAR to announce this cross-sector collaboration.
