Educating through gaming
Creating ways to identify tech skills
Edu-Game was developed to teach children gamification and allow them to create their own games. The software is also designed to help children, through gaming, choose better careers.
Before delving into game development, Tutaleni Ilonga had been studying for two years to become a boilermaker and welder. He then made the choice to explore a potential business venture, which has now become known as Edu-Game.
Edu-Game targets game enthusiasts, students, and corporations that wish to gamify their own products.
Ilonga says the business exists to highlight game development in Namibia as a main focus, which makes them a pioneer in this industry in Namibia.
By merging education with gaming, the business has a unique identity. Additionally, children get to experience different skill sets.
Boosting growth, courage
Ilonga's business's potential for growth and its potential benefits for Namibians have been boosted since his selection as one of the five Sanlam Bridge winners for 2023.
He described the experience so far as helpful, fun and exciting all at once. The moment he found out he was one of the Sanlam Bridge winners was a moment of gratitude for him.
Ilonga says he plans on utilising the benefits he received as one of the Sanlam Bridge winners to improve the business further. "I am grateful for the opportunity because it means I can invest more time to scale the business," he said.
He would like to create a website, create a platform where people can access online education, and offer workshops to students outside of Namibia to benefit from the services of Edu-Game.
Growing a business
Ilonga engages in extensive tutoring most days and creates educational content materials for students to utilise. He also invests time in introducing the business to various students to spark their interest.
He says gaming and technology in Namibia can improve with more support from corporates, "because we are trying to create a game development environment that is sustainable for everyone."
Ilonga advises young people to venture into entrepreneurship "as fast and as young as you can so that you can make mistakes early, which will help you grow. Attend networking events and let LinkedIn be your most used app; it is self-marketing to corporates."