16 October 2026 | Story Niémah Davids. Photos Supplied.
In a rural village in Limpopo, Charlote Testimony Mohale’s mother, Rebecca Magoro, single-handedly raised her on a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant of less than R2 500 a month. The family had modest means but sacrificed R700 every month to pay for Mohale’s mathematics tuition in matric. They believed that education was the key to a brand-new future for all of them.
The sacrifices paid off. Mohale scored a whopping 99% for maths, 95% for both accounting and life sciences (formerly biology) and 94% for physical sciences in her final exams. In total, she attained seven distinctions in matric. Her impressive results paved the way for her to study medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT) – making a lifelong dream a reality.
Today, the third-year student is on a mission to make quality education accessible to high school learners across South Africa. And thanks to her EdTech social enterprise, Early Bird Testimony Academy (EBTA), which she launched in 2023, she is reaching her goal.
“To some, R700 may just be a few rands. To my family, it was a substantial amount of money every month, which was meant to go for food. But my mom understood the importance of education and wanted me to do well so that I could get into university. I am forever grateful for her sacrifices,” Mohale said.
EBTA connects learners with high-performing university students (who also scored top marks in their matric exam). It offers them real-time online classes; mentorship programmes, including career guidance; as well as digital literacy skills development for a nominal fee of between R200 and R250 per month. To date, the start-up has reached over 5 000 learners across South Africa’s nine provinces and helped more than 1 000 learners gain entry into university. The start-up has also employed 50 university students and has equipped them with the necessary skills to fulfil their roles. By doing so, it has already generated R1 million in revenue.
“What sets EBTA apart from other similar EdTech social enterprises, and what makes it special to me, is that we don’t only focus on improving marks. We really want to develop confident, ambitious, young people who believe that they are not defined by their circumstances and that it doesn’t have to determine their future,” Mohale said.
“Millions of children in South Africa are in the same situation as I was in, where their parents need to choose between feeding them or funding their future.”
She said EBTA targets all high school learners from low- to middle-income families who live in under-resourced communities in the country.
“Millions of children in South Africa are in the same situation as I was in, where their parents need to choose between feeding them or funding their future. Often these kids barely believe that it is possible for them to make it academically and in life because they don’t have mentorship support,” Mohale said.
More than just academic support
EBTA provides more than just assistance at an academic level. Mohale said the start-up doesn’t just aim to improve a candidate’s academic results – it provides learners with holistic support. She said often learners who enlist for academic support programmes see their results improving after a short period. However, that’s just one step in the process. Mohale said EBTA’s mentorship and career guidance programmes help them find careers suited for their skillset and helps them facilitate the daunting university application process.
“This too resonates with me personally. I failed my first year and repeated a module for a year instead of progressing to second year. And this was due to the school-to-university transition challenges, family crises and being unsure of my passion and interests,” Mohale said.
“That is why mentorship is such an important part of what we do. I want learners to have access to relatable young people who have walked similar journeys and can say: ‘I was where you are and there is a way forward’. Seeing learners trust us on this journey has been incredibly fulfilling.”
The last couple of years have been a juggling act. Balancing a full-time, demanding academic programme like medicine, while building a successful business is no small feat. But Mohale said with discipline, planning and a strong team behind the scenes, she has managed to succeed.
“But I don’t have everything figured out. I am still a young person learning, building a business and making mistakes. I am also constantly discovering what leadership and entrepreneurship require of me,” she said.
In the last year, Mohale has also raked up a list of impressive accolades, including the Anzisha Prize Fellow, which recognises Africa’s top 40 young entrepreneurs; the THENSA Most Potential Growth Innovation Award; and she scored first place in the International Conference on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. She was also selected as one of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans finalists in the Editor’s Choice category, and EBTA was selected to pitch at Africa’s Fintech Summit in Kigali, Rwanda next month – making it the only South African start-up in the running.
“I am so excited about all of this. It demonstrates EBTA’s growth over the past couple of years and that is so rewarding for me,” Mohale said.
And the spirit of entrepreneurship has made all of it possible. Mohale said nurturing her entrepreneurial mindset has been the biggest gift she has ever given herself.
“I believe that entrepreneurship holds a bright future for South African youth. It gives you the permission to dream and to take responsibility to make that dream a reality. But more need to tap into it.” Mohale said. “And building businesses that solve real problems is the key. That’s always been important for me. That [and] creating jobs and changing lives, one person at a time.”
She encouraged the youth not to sit around and wait for others to create opportunities for them, but to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to change their circumstances.
“We need entrepreneurs in every educational degree. We need more integration between what we learn and what we build. We need young people who are willing to create, not just consume and together we can get it right,” Mohale said.
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