A Brighter Future for Siphelele Bhengu: How Exam Portal Transformed a Struggling Learner Siphelele Bhengu, a quiet and determined 10-year-old at Siphethu Primary School in Daveyton, always felt left behind in class. Despite his eagerness to learn, reading remained his biggest challenge. Every day, he struggled to keep up with his classmates, his small hands trembling as he tried to decipher the words in front of him. The letters seemed to dance on the page, their meanings lost in confusion. His teachers had tried everything. Extra lessons, reading groups, and even one-on-one support, but nothing seemed to work. Siphelele’s mother, a single parent working tirelessly to provide for him, felt helpless as she watched her son’s confidence fade. He avoided reading aloud in class, fearing the laughter and whispers that often followed his stammering attempts. The school did not have the resources to hire a full-time reader to assist him, and the cost of external support was far beyond what his family could afford. The reality was heartbreaking: without proper intervention, Siphelele’s future was at risk. Then, one day, hope arrived in the form of Exam Portal. Through the efforts of V-Soft Technologies, Siphethu Primary School was selected to receive the Exam Portal software. With its text-to-speech functionality, Exam Portal could read aloud any text in 11 South African languages, including Siphelele’s home language, SiSwati. For the first time in his life, Siphelele experienced the joy of understanding a story without struggling. With a pair of headphones and a laptop, he listened intently as the words were read to him at a pace he could follow. He adjusted the speed, repeated sections when needed, and for the first time, he began to recognize words with confidence. His transformation was almost immediate. Within weeks, his teachers noticed the change—his comprehension improved, his participation in class increased, and the light of confidence returned to his eyes. No longer fearing judgment, Siphelele even volunteered to read in front of his classmates, astonishing everyone with his progress. His mother wept with joy when she heard him read a full sentence for the first time. “I never thought I would see this day,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Exam Portal has given my son a chance to succeed.” Siphelele’s journey is just one of many. With Exam Portal, thousands of learners in township and rural schools now have access to the support they desperately need. By breaking the financial and logistical barriers that once seemed insurmountable, Exam Portal is not just changing education—it is changing lives. With continued support from organizations like Sasol Foundation, this revolutionary technology can reach even more learners like Siphelele, ensuring that no child is left behind, no dream is out of reach, and every child, no matter their background, has the chance to read, learn, and succeed.