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APP FOR THAT: Back to school? Try Break Thru

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Appealing: This new South African-designed app brings the school to you PHOTO: screengrab
Appealing: This new South African-designed app brings the school to you PHOTO: screengrab

App: Break Thru

Free on iOS at the iStore and for Android at Google Play

There’s no shortage of tutoring apps available to those looking for help – many of them are free, and really, really good. But there are also few of those really, really good ones that have been designed specifically with the South African student in mind and that deal with all of our unique problems in a unique way.

That’s why we couldn’t wait to try the new Break Thru app, designed by ­26-year-old KwaZulu-Natal-based entrepreneur Andile Sithebe. His new “consultation app” connects students and teachers in real time with a live-chat function that gets you help and information immediately from an actual person who is qualified to assist you.

The assistant I spoke to was extremely helpful, and keen to make sure I got the best out of the app. They also replied almost immediately.

But Break Thru is more than just an extra maths lesson. It’s kind of like a digital school in your pocket – complete with a life coach and mentors who care about your holistic education.

In the community section of the app, users can post about their struggles and successes.

One user, Sbu, says: “There’s nothing quite as amazing as knowing someone’s got your back when you’re struggling. Yesterday, I spoke with a mentor from Break Thru and I feel positive to face the world.”

It has some superuseful tools such as built-in dictionaries, calculators, sound recorders, notepads and conversion apps. They’ve all been well designed and are quite effective.

In the academy section, one is able to browse through information on subjects ranging from ancient history to science and mathematics. They provide the sort of extra material you would spend hours searching for on the internet.

Break Thru has all the right stuff collected into one interface that is simple to use and easy to look at.

But the app needs more African content if it hopes to make it in the local market. Some African languages in the dictionary would be immensely useful, as would some African history.

Other than that, Break Thru is a winning idea. Garreth van Niekerk

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