Rapelang Rabana facts for kids
Rapelang Rabana is a super smart computer scientist and an amazing entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own businesses. She is also a popular speaker who shares her ideas with others.
Right now, Rapelang is a Co-CEO at Imagine Worldwide. This is an organization that uses technology to help people learn. Before this, she started her own learning technology company called Rekindle Learning. She also helped create Yeigo Communications. This was South Africa's very first company to offer free mobile phone calls using the internet, known as VoIP.
Rapelang has been recognized by many important groups. She was on the cover of ForbesAfrica magazine. She was also named an Entrepreneur for the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum. The World Economic Forum even chose her as a Young Global Leader.
Early Life and Learning
Rapelang was born in a city called Gaborone in Botswana. She started school there before moving to Johannesburg, South Africa. In Johannesburg, she attended a school called Roedean School.
In 2005, Rapelang finished her studies at the University of Cape Town. She earned a special degree in Business Science with a focus on Computer Science. She did so well that she graduated with honors! Years later, in 2019, she was invited back to her university to give a speech to new graduates.
Building Cool Tech Companies
After university, Rapelang didn't waste any time. In 2006, she helped create a mobile app called Yeigo. This app let people make phone calls over the internet using their mobile phones. It was a new and exciting idea at the time.
In 2009, a company called Telfree bought most of Yeigo. Rapelang then led the research and development team at Telfree. She worked there until 2012, helping to create new and innovative things.
In 2014, Rapelang started her next big company, Rekindle Learning. This company focuses on digital learning. It helps people learn new skills to keep up with changes in the world of work. In 2017, she also worked as the Chief Digital Officer at BCX. In 2023, she became the Co-CEO of Imagine Worldwide, continuing her work in education technology.
Amazing Awards and Recognition
Rapelang has received many awards and honors for her work. In 2012, she was featured on Oprah Magazine's "O Power List." This list highlights powerful and inspiring people.
In 2013, Forbes magazine named her one of the "30 under 30" best entrepreneurs in Africa. This means she was one of the top 30 business leaders under 30 years old. The World Entrepreneurship Forum also recognized her as one of the Entrepreneurs of the World in 2014.
In 2017, the World Economic Forum chose Rapelang as a Young Global Leader. This is a group of young leaders from around the world who are making a big difference. She has also been invited to important meetings like the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos.
Rapelang is also an Ambassador and a judge for the United Nations World Summit Awards. This program helps find and promote the best digital innovations from around the world. She even gave a special speech at the Gartner Symposium in Cape Town in 2015.
