Liberty Pledges R1 Million to NOVAR, Backing Limpopo-born EdTech Innovation
Liberty Drives Hope with R1 Million Contribution to Support NOVAR’s Mission to Transform Education
In a powerful display of corporate support for grassroots innovation, Liberty — part of Standard Bank’s Insurance and Asset Management Business — has pledged R1 million in funding to NOVAR, an education app created by two self-taught developers from Gumbani village in Limpopo. This contribution is part of Liberty’s ongoing #DriveHope campaign and will help scale the app’s reach and keep its learning content free for South African students.
The developers behind NOVAR, Marvel Shibambu and Malunghelo Mathonsi, taught themselves to code using YouTube tutorials and built the app using just a second-hand PC purchased with their combined savings of R700. Their journey gained public attention after content creator Cool Story Bru posted a viral TikTok video about their story, which reached both the public and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies — ultimately leading to this landmark partnership with Liberty.
NOVAR offers free educational resources to high school learners and has already surpassed 50,000 downloads in just five months. With Liberty’s support, the app is poised to reach over 500,000 learners across South Africa and the continent, offering over 1,000 hours of interactive learning and more than 10,000 rural learners access to live tutorials.
Amelia Beattie, Head of Business Efficiencies, Property and Sustainable Impact at Standard Bank Insurance and Asset Management, said NOVAR perfectly aligns with Liberty’s education-led impact strategy.
“What excites us about NOVAR is that it’s African-born, future-facing, and already making a difference,” said Beattie. “This isn’t a hand-me-down solution; it’s built by young Africans, for Africans, with content that prepares our youth for tomorrow’s economy.”
The R1 million pledge includes not just funding, but access to office space at Liberty’s Braamfontein campus and business development resources — ensuring NOVAR can continue its mission sustainably. The donation comes at a crucial time as students prepare for year-end exams, particularly matric learners who rely on free learning materials.
“We never imagined we’d come this far. This is just the beginning. We’re grateful to Liberty and to everyone who believed in our vision to change education in South Africa.”
said Marvel Shibambu at the announcement event in Johannesburg, where Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, formally acknowledged the collaboration
As NOVAR scales up, it stands as a testament to what’s possible when youth-led innovation meets strategic investment — a story of resilience, community support, and the power of technology to transform lives.
