Fun way to learn about cultures
MABANGA PUTS BUSINESS ON MAP
INSPIRED by the notion that people learn better when they play motivated a young man from KwaThema in Ekurhuleni to develop a world map that will help people know more about the world while they have fun.
In July, Wandile Mabanga embarked on a business journey that seeks to “gamify learning” by founding Map Blitz, which makes educational, fun and engaging world map puzzles.
Map Blitz is only six months old but Mabanga has big dreams about how he wants to see it grow.
Mabanga, who is passionate about physics, matriculated at Tlakula High – one of KwaThema’s oldest schools – ten years ago.
He was among the top five pupils in the province.
He scored an impressive 100% in maths and 93% in physical science, his favourite subject.
He got a scholarship to go study chemical engineering at Wits but in his second year he switched to BSc.
The 26-year-old currently holds a masters in theoretical physics from Wits but right now all his energy is focused on building his business.
“I’ve always wanted to contribute to society. I learnt at home that games not only create fond memories but we learn best when we play. I created Map Blitz to share the world’s rich cultural diversity.
“Imagine the world’s first ‘Cultural World Cup’. This is the motivation behind Map Blitz, to share diversity,” he said.
However, running the business has not been without adversities.
One of his biggest challenges has been access to the market.
There had been other stumbling blocks along the way.
“My graphic designer passed away and the factory that produces my boxes burnt down in the same month. It is very difficult when you lose a friend and a colleague,” said Mabanga.
But even this did not deter him from dreaming big for his business.
“I would like to see Map Blitz as the equivalent of Fifa for cultural diversity.
“I hope Map Blitz brings us closer as a species, that as we learn about each other we realise that one can be born anywhere and we have a lot to learn about our different backgrounds and practices,” he said.
Currently Map Blitz produces the African map puzzle but Mabanga is aiming for the world map, the puzzle is available in some retail stores and he wants to expand its reach by taking it to schools.
“I would like to see Map Blitz as equivalent of Fifa for cultural diversity “I learnt that games not only create fond memories but we learn best when we play