The problem: NSFAS, South Africa’s student financial aid scheme, has faced major delays and errors again — with thousands of students left unpaid or misallocated.

The result: Missed rent, dropped courses, and deepening inequality.

Imagine if:

• Payments were made via blockchain, so every transaction was transparent and traceable — no more “lost in the system”

• Student identities were verified using AI-powered digital credentials, cutting out fraud and admin delays

• Smart contracts released funds automatically, only when all the right conditions were met

Blockchain and AI won’t fix broken policy — but they can make broken systems harder to hide.

Your brain can move a cursor. No hands needed.

Researchers ran one of the world’s largest clinical trials on using EEG headbands to help stroke survivors control computers with their minds — no surgery, no implants. Just brainwaves.

After a stroke, many people lose movement — but not the ability to imagine it. This study showed that brainwave-reading headsets could turn those thoughts into real screen actions, with 70% of patients successfully controlling a cursor using only their minds.

It’s low-cost, scalable tech that could transform rehab in Africa and beyond.

This month’s pick:

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

A modern classic for anyone building something new.

It’s not about having the perfect idea — it’s about learning fast, staying flexible, and building what people actually need.

From MVPs to feedback loops, this book is packed with tools that apply whether you’re launching a startup, a product, or a community.