MATRIC learner at Grosvenor Girls High School, Nomvelo Thabethe, is turning pressures and anxiety of studying into performance after launching Locked Inn, a free web app aimed at learners from Grade Eight through matric, providing a range of study resources and artificial intelligence-powered tools in one platform.

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The 17-year-old created the platform to assist matric learners by making them feel more organised and at ease as well as to help younger learners develop early studying habits.

“Learners sign up for free and can generate AI flashcards, have an AI tutor, get real past papers, notes keeper, exam reminders, and downloadable study PDFs, all synced across their devices. I have a growth plan and updates for Locked Inn as time progresses. I will never stop improving it,” she said. 

Made to overcome challenges 

The app was born from experiences and challenges that Thabethe herself struggled with as a matriculant. 

“The inspiration to create Locked Inn came from the pressure I felt when it was time to study. I needed something to make me feel more at ease and organised. So, I started planning and drafting Locked Inn. I understand that many students do not have the resources and simply do not know where to get them or simply don’t understand the speed at which technology is moving, and they’re getting left behind. My goal is to make studying less stressful and to give every student real support at their fingertips regardless of what they can afford,” she said. 

Honing her talents and passion 

While most children spent their school holidays relaxing, Thabethe spent hers honing her developing skills. Her interest in technology began at a young age and was heavily influenced by her dad’s curiosity for it. 

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“I started building PCs, teaching myself valuable skills, doing online courses and experimenting on my own until I could actually build things. Locked Inn is the result of that self-taught journey, built solo, with a genuine love for solving real problems through modern technology,” she said. 

A successful launch

The response to the platform’s launch has already exceeded Thabethe’s expectations, with more than 200 learners signing up within the first 48 hours.

“It’s honestly one of the proudest moments I have had” she said.

For Thabethe, knowing that she had created something that was helping others had a huge impact on her.   

“There’s a real weight to knowing learners are opening the app the night before an exam, relying on something I built,” she said.

While the response has been motivating, it has also increased the responsibility on her to ensure the platform remains a viable and useful tool.

“It’s motivating, but it also made me take the responsibility seriously, to keep improving it, keep it free and make sure it actually earns the trust people are placing in it,” she said. 

Accessing the app 

Learners can access Locked Inn at https://lockedinn.co.za/ and add the web app to their home screen for easy access without taking up additional storage space. 

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