Rapelang Rabana gives insight on her award-winning learning platform

Rapelang Rabana, the founder and CEO of the award-winning learning platform, Rekindle Learning, recently shared insights into her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges of disrupting traditional education and training platforms. In a candid interview with CNBC Africa's Gugulethu Cele, Rabana discussed her drive as a business leader, her experience as a disruptor, and her role as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Rabana touched on key themes such as the importance of self-trust for women in the STEM industry, the challenges of finding early adopters for innovative technologies, and the need for bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the tech space. The interview shed light on Rabana's efforts to revolutionize the learning experience and her vision for future disruptions in the global education sector. Rabana's journey as an entrepreneur has been characterized by a profound desire to challenge the status quo and create innovative solutions. She emphasized that her path to disruption was driven by a conviction that things could be done differently. Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs' famous quote, Rabana expressed her belief that individuals have the power to change the world by creating concepts that resonate with their values and beliefs. This philosophy has guided Rabana in developing innovative products such as mobile web-based applications and smart learning apps for universities and corporates through Rekindle Learning. One of the key challenges Rabana highlighted was the difficulty of disrupting traditional education and training platforms. She pointed out that market education is crucial in convincing customers to embrace new technologies, which often requires patience and perseverance. While reflecting on the South African market dynamics, Rabana noted the lack of a strong support ecosystem for innovators, making it challenging to introduce disruptive solutions. She underscored the importance of building relationships with like-minded individuals within organizations to drive change and navigate complex market landscapes. Gender parity and the role of women as disruptors in the STEM industry emerged as another significant theme in the interview. Rabana acknowledged the unique challenges faced by women in developing self-trust and internal resilience to pursue disruptive innovations. She emphasized the need for women to cultivate a strong internal anchor in the absence of external affirmation, highlighting the importance of empowering women to contribute their valuable perspectives in business and technology. In her venture into the venture capital space with Sela Capital, Rabana aims to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and investors in the tech sector. Recognizing the traditional biases in funding early-stage tech businesses, Rabana seeks to understand the investor's perspective to create a more viable investment model. By straddling both sides of the investment landscape, Rabana hopes to facilitate greater support for innovative tech startups and foster a culture of entrepreneurship in Africa. Looking ahead, Rabana envisions a future focused on shifting mindsets in learning and development. She highlighted the need to move beyond content-driven learning towards developing responsiveness to challenges faced in the real world. Rabana expressed her passion for exploring how technology can enhance learning experiences and empower individuals to navigate complex tasks and issues effectively. With a commitment to research and innovation, Rabana aims to lead the way in revolutionizing the global education sector and driving meaningful disruptions in the years to come.