Alexandra strives to change the world through technology

THE inequality in education, which was highlighted during the Covid-19 hard lockdown in 2020, prompted Alexandra Lutz (17) to start an online learning platform.

Milani Education shares existing content, donated from schools and teachers around the country, with all students at no subscription fee or sign-up costs to them.

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“The platform is a supplementary learning tool that gives students a chance to watch lessons and virtually ‘sit in the classroom’ and benefit from world-class lessons. Students using the Milani platform have access to learning resources that are categorised according to the South African curriculum (CAPS) and are relevant to their high school studies,” said the matric learner.

“I came to the realisation that if 30 students could learn from a teaching video that I was receiving from my school, why could we not simply share this video with learners online and educate 30 000 people?” she said.

After this initial idea, Alexandra said she got in contact with Sbu Myeni, who is the founder of the Imbeleko Foundation which grants scholarships to students from the Valley of 1000 Hills.

“With the permission of my headmaster and some of my teachers, I was able to share my online lessons and the content I was receiving at the time with three of the Imbeleko students through a simple Google Doc on Google Drive on a tablet that I donated to the students.”

The Hillcrest resident is head of boarding at St John’s DSG.

“I attended Thomas More College in junior school and moved to St John’s for high school to become a weekly boarder.

“The support and backing from my headmaster, Simon Moore, and other teachers are a huge part of the success that Milani has had so far,” she said.

Behind the scenes

During the initial conception of Milani when Alexandra was 14 years old in Grade Nine, she said she spoke to a family friend, Lloyd Meaker, who believed in the Milani dream and vision from the very beginning.

“Lloyd very generously funded the whole development of the Milani platform, which mainly took most of 2022 as Rumour Has it (RHi), a company that assisted with setting up the website, had to do zoom calls with me in dorm rooms, teachers’ classrooms and offices throughout my schooling day as I am a full-time school student.

“RHi have been incredible in creating the whole feel and look behind Milani Education and developing the platform, www.milanieducation.com, which has recently launched with mathematics from Grade 10 to12 and Grade Eight and Nine maths as well as English Home Language, business studies and English First Additional Language in the pipeline, too,” said a grateful Alexandra.

She added that the Milani directors, Nicky Baker, Peter Cotter and her mother, Judith Lutz, have been a huge part of the creation and running of Milani.

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“They have helped a lot with the legal side of things, such as registering the non-profit company, as well as getting the tax exemption 18a certificate for Milani Education. They have offered many hours of help and support to the initiative and have ensured that the focus of Milani has always been on students and educating and uplifting the youth of our country.

“Receiving the support and a sponsorship amount from Bidvest at the end of last year has been a huge benefit to Milani, and it has allowed us to get Milani Education launched and up and running successfully,” she said.

Hobbies, inspirations and goals

The youngest of three siblings said she loves being outside and doing exercise. “Sport is a great hobby of mine, and I particularly enjoy netball and waterpolo.

“I love talking to people and have a great passion for business and the world of economics. I am wanting to start studying a degree in Data Science or Economics next year. One of my greatest passions I have is revolutionising the way in which we educate the youth,” she said.

The passionate young lady believes that there are so many possibilities that technology has brought that could change the ballgame for education and learning as everyone knows it.

“I strive to change the world through technology in education, and for me, Milani Education is the way in which I can do my bit to help others and start the process of bringing about this change.”

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