Matric Live app empowering grades 10-12 learners wins at 2024 FNB App of the Year Awards

Clarence Ford speaks to Kagisho Masae (CEO and co-founder of Matric Live) about the award-winning mobile app.

Listen below.

The 2024 FNB App of the Year Awards have again recognised the top performers in South Africa’s app development community.

The event honoured apps that are changing lives, industries, and businesses nationwide at a lively ceremony in Johannesburg that brought together tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and aspiring developers.

Matric Live, an education app designed to empower Grade 10 to 12 learners, stood out among the competition with its dynamic approach to education.

The app provides students with interactive video lessons, gamified study experiences, mock exam simulations, and an AI chat feature, making it an invaluable tool for preparing for matric exams and studying more effectively.

Masae explains that the app started as a way to keep his co-founder Lesego Finger, who has a tech-savvy gene, out of trouble in his teens when his mom bought his first laptop.

Masae went on to pursue a tertiary education and after a stint in the corporate world, and meeting his current business partner, the two created Matric Live.

Finger brings technological prowess while Masae brings the business intellect for a perfect blend that makes an award-winning app.

Matric Live was also acknowledged in two other categories, securing wins in 'Huawei Category 15' and 'Best Breakthrough Developer'.

FNB CEO Jacques Celliers emphasised the importance of fostering innovation in the digital age.

“These apps are not just tools; they are solutions that reflect the ingenuity and resilience of South African developers,” Celliers said.

Finger expressed immense pride and excitement upon receiving the award at the event. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this prestigious award. The competition pushed us to our limits, from the technical judging to the live pitch. Winning the FNB App of the Year title is a milestone for us, and we look forward to the opportunities it will bring," Finger continued.

The recognition carries a substantial prize worth R250,000, which includes admission to an international IT conference of their choice.

Masae says he is proudest of the impact the app makes, helping those in need.

"The best part and the one thing that makes us really proud is that two thirds of our active users are from quintiles one, two, and three schools... the people who need it the most..."

- Kagisho Masae, CEO - Matric Live

"I am a township boy from the North West. My co-founder is a township boy from Soweto and the other two main developers are from Tsakane in the East Rand. We think about how we make our technology work for those who don't have..."

- Kagisho Masae, CEO - Matric Live

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.