BRICS Rising Star: South Africa's first edutainment company

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Europe

03:14

Ordinary citizens in BRICS nations haven't yet felt the full impact of advancing technology, but young people are desperate to make connections and form meaningful partnerships, and that’s why Nicholas Bereng, a young entrepreneur in South Africa, is using technology to upgrade the education sector and improve literacy in schools across the country.

Bereng is the director for Brand Laiki, which is South Africa's first official urban edutainment company. he gave up his career in music to pursue the business.

"I was a budding musician. I realized that perhaps my calling is not in music. I wish I had somebody, at the age of nine, promoting reading like how I'm trying to do it in the country. That then would allow me, the nine-year-old, to have a good idea, or to meet Thomas Edison who would spark something inside of me, or to be a little greater than I am," Bereng explained.

A 12th grade class at Khabazela High School pose for a picture in their classroom in eMbo, South Africa, September 23, 2015. /VCG Photo

Bereng said currently, South African children are exposed to the popular musicians and drama stars, but don't see how beneficial reading can be.

“My whole point is to change the desire for children to read. Right now, there's no desire. So, my work is to create a partnership with these individuals popular musicians and drama stars), and then impart the interest of reading to the child," Bereng continued.

Meanwhile, his team is partnering with schools and working with English departments to promote reading. During the process, technology is his best “ally.” "It's very important for the kids in South Africa to be aware of what the kids in Finland are doing. Technology is nothing but an ally. It can make the solutions quite easy to achieve," Bereng noted.

Besides cooperating with local tech firms, Bereng’s company is expanding partnership with other tech giants in the BRICS bloc. For example, he partners with Chinese tech companies to get VR solutions. And he hoped the cooperation among BRICS countries would drive more technological possibilities to the South African children in the future.