By Kgothatso Monono
A dynamic team of students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has developed EduConnect, a pioneering peer-to-peer tutoring prototype designed to make academic support more accessible and affordable for university students across South Africa.
The project, created for the EDHE-ABSA Innovation Challenge 2025, demonstrates the students’ creativity, technical expertise and determination to address one of higher education’s most pressing challenges currently - the high student dropout rate caused by academic struggles and limited access to affordable tutoring.
“South African universities continue to face a serious challenge, with an estimated 50 to 60 percent of first-year students dropping out due to academic difficulties,” explained Mokgaetji Johanna Ramanna, the team’s Tech Lead. “Private tutoring often costs more than R200 per hour, making it inaccessible to many, especially students in rural areas with limited connectivity.”
EduConnect seeks to bridge this gap by linking students with verified peer tutors who have excelled in their respective subjects. The platform promotes affordable learning and peer empowerment, allowing students to receive quality tutoring at low cost while enabling tutors to reinforce their knowledge and earn income.
The dynamic team of FoICT students hard at work developing the pioneer App, EduConnect
The EduConnect team includes:
- Mokgaetji Johanna Ramanna, Tech Lead and Diploma in Informatics student – responsible for prototype design and development.
- Sipho Mampuru, final-year Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering student – Business Strategist overseeing sustainability and business modelling.
- Thandie Seswike, third-year Diploma in Computer Science student – Academic Alignment Lead.
- Lerato Phala, third-year Diploma in Informatics student – UX Designer managing user interface design.
With 75% of the team being female and all members from rural backgrounds, the project reflects TUT’s dedication to inclusivity and innovation while nurturing South Africa’s next generation of tech leaders.
“Our goal was to create a model that empowers students to support each other while tackling affordability barriers in higher education,” said Ramanna. “EduConnect isn’t just an app idea – it is a vision for collaborative learning.”
EduConnect’s selection for the EDHE-ABSA Innovation Challenge underscores the entrepreneurial spirit and social innovation driving TUT students. With continued development and support, the team hopes their prototype will one day play a key role in improving student success and retention across South Africa.
Business Strategist Sipho Mampuru added, “The peer-to-peer approach provides a win-win solution: affordable academic assistance for learners and an opportunity for tutors to gain valuable experience and income.”
For more information, contact Mokgaetji Johanna Ramanna at