We can hardly believe that our Xander Xhosa apps are one year old on Mandela Day. What started as one entrepreneurial idea has turned into a suite of 18 educational Apps for children in five African Languages. Sibella Knott-Craig’s vision was to create an opportunity for mother-tongue learning through the medium of interactive play, and to allow South African and African children access to apps on a par with those of their international peers. This vision has been more than realised, and the App studio is now also developing read-along children’s books and continually exploring new avenues in the field of educational Apps.
Xander Apps by Tribage is part of the EverAfrica Group and was launched in July 2014, with the Xhosa 123 and Xhosa Shapes and Colours Apps. The original Afrikaans apps were launched in April of the same year at the Cape Town Baba Indaba, and received the Award for the most innovative new product. Watch the interviews with Kyknet’s ‘Dagbreker’ here.
The apps featuring Xander the friendly T-Rex have been well received by a growing and enthusiastic following of moms and toddlers.
The Xander apps motto is one of technical innovation and excellence, along with intuitive and beautiful design, that refrains from in-app purchases. The apps are created by professional parents with many years of joint experience in business and technology. The apps are also aligned with CAPS, the school curriculum, to prepare young children between three and six for school in an engaging way. These Apps, which promote early childhood development, can therefore be downloaded and enjoyed with total peace of mind.
In honour of our one year anniversary, and in the spirit of Mandela Day, with which we share our birthday, all our Xander Apps can be downloaded for free for the full day. That’s right, on the 18th of July 2015, all Apps, including the one-year old Xander Xhosa Apps will be free. This is one small way in which the Xander team can honour the memory of Madiba, whose vision for Africa and South Africa has inspired so many.
In Madiba’s words: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Why don’t you let us know what you are doing for Mandela Day this year. Share your contributions on Facebook or Twitter.
