Hi there! Based on the great deals I found in my search, I think you'll love the Apple iPad Air 10.9-inch 2020 4th Generation WiFi 64GB models available in Space Grey or Blue. These tablets offer powerful performance in a very portable design, and the prices of R8599-R9099 are excellent value in my opinion. The iPad Air is known for its beautiful screen, speedy processing, and wide range of apps. Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm always here to help find the perfect tablet for your needs.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7" that you found for R269 would be a great choice for a grade 8 learner. As a lightweight tablet at 1.08kg, it's very portable for students to carry around school and do their homework and research on. The 8.7" screen is big enough to be easy to view and type on. It also has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, which is sufficient for basic school tasks. At this price, it is affordable too. The LTE connectivity will allow students to access the internet anywhere, for chat and discussion even when not on Wi-Fi. I hope this helps with your decision! Let me know if you have any other questions.