Read our mid-year newsletter: January to June 2026 updates!
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18 Years of Impact: The TEACH South Africa Mid-Year Update
As we cross the midpoint of 2026, it is incredible to look back at how far we have come not just over the last six months, but over the last 18 years. Marking nearly two decades of unwavering commitment to South African education, TEACH South Africa has evolved from a visionary concept into a powerful catalyst for change.
18 years of service mark a milestone of maturity, resilience, and deep-rooted impact, and it is all thanks to the collective dedication of our corporate partners, visionary schools, selfless Alumni, and passionate Ambassadors who champion the right to quality education.
The first half of this landmark year has been nothing short of a testament to that enduring mission. From our continuous trainings and workshops to strengthening the leadership pipeline in the classrooms that need it most, our collective efforts continue to bridge educational gaps and empower the next generation of change makers.
In this mid-year reflection, we celebrate the milestones of the past six months, honour the 18-year legacy that anchors us, and look ahead with renewed energy to the work that still lies before us.
Highlights from the 2026 Alumni Celebration
On Saturday, April 11, the TEACH South Africa family in partnership with PPS gathered at the premises for a high-profile Alumni Celebration—a day dedicated to reconnection, reflection, and the shared vision of educational excellence.
The event served as a powerful bridge between our past and future, bringing together Alumni, Ambassadors, and key stakeholders. The morning was anchored by a profound keynote address from Mr. Aubrey Masango, whose insights on leadership and community resonated deeply with everyone in attendance. Guided by the charismatic facilitation of Mr. Phushaza Sibiya (702), the programme unfolded with a perfect balance of professional networking and emotional connection.
The true heart of the event, however, lay in the "impact stories." As our guest speakers and learners took to the stage to share their personal journeys, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. These stories served as a vivid reminder of why we do what we do, changing lives, one child at a time.
From the vibrant networking sessions to the debut of our Alumni Committee, the atmosphere was electric. We walked away not just with new contacts, but with a renewed commitment to our mission. Thank you to everyone who joined us for making this celebration a monumental success!
Honouring 18 Years and Looking Ahead: Our Alumni Movement
The recent Alumni Celebration was far more than a look back at TEACH South Africa’s 18-year legacy of impact; it was a powerful homecoming and the first of many community celebrations to come.
For the first time, we brought our diverse cohorts together under one roof to officially solidify the Alumni Network as a robust, forward-moving force. This historic gathering was not just about honouring our shared history, but about establishing a clear, actionable vision for the future ensuring the organisation actively champions our alumni as they continue to lead, innovate, and give back to education across South Africa.
To ensure this movement truly serves our community, we conducted a post-event survey, and the feedback was loud and clear: our alumni have a strong appetite for real value.
The insights revealed that meaningful opportunities are what truly drive engagement. Moving forward, you are looking for useful, tangible interactions rather than just general updates. By building deep trust, a clear structure, and highly visible benefits, we are currently defining a robust Alumni Value Proposition designed to support you at every stage of your professional journey.
Our primary aim is to transition from sporadic activities to a highly structured, dynamic alumni ecosystem. With every single one of you back in the fold, here is what we are building together next:
An Updated & Segmented Database: To ensure the opportunities we share match your specific professional paths and interests.
Regular Touchpoints: Establishing consistent, quarterly engagements to keep our network connected and collaborative.
A Dedicated Alumni Platform: A central digital space is officially underway to streamline communication and make sharing opportunities easier than ever.
Active Leadership Roles: We are actively identifying and training mentors, facilitators, and volunteers from within our alumni community to directly shape our Ambassador and offer ongoing mentorship.
Moving forward, we are using your feedback to map out clear professional pathways and tailored opportunities. We are fully committed to investing in your continuous development so that, together, we can keep transforming the educational landscape.
Empowering Inclusive Classrooms: Highlights from Our Q1 Ambassador Workshop
Our first-quarter TEACH South Africa Ambassador Workshop was an incredible success! Hosted on the 31st of January, our Ambassadors and Alumni gathered for a deeply impactful day dedicated to a vital mission: Supporting Neurodivergent Learners.
Teaching effectively means reaching every learner. This workshop was intentionally designed to equip our educators with the practical, evidence-based tools needed to boost engagement, manage diverse classrooms with confidence, and ultimately drive better student performance in STEM subjects.
Through the incredible expertise of our partners, our educators walked away with actionable strategies they can implement immediately:
ELS for Autism South Africa provided transformative Prevention & Consequence Strategies. Our cohort mastered evidence-based practices for behaviour management, learned how to utilise Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) for non-speaking students, and explored how to use visual supports to drastically reduce challenging classroom behaviour.
STEMulator showcased brilliant, interactive resources demonstrating exactly how to make complex STEM subjects tactile, visual, and accessible for all learning styles through their dataless online application.
HEAL SA anchored the session in Mindfulness & Resilience, guiding our teachers through self-care techniques to combat burnout, strategies to teach students self-regulation, and frameworks for building strong parent-teacher collaborations.
By blending robust behavioural strategies with tactile STEM resources and mental health tools, this workshop didn't just share knowledge; it empowered our Ambassadors and Alumni to build truly inclusive environments where both the teacher and the students can thrive.
We were honoured to have our TEACH SA co-founders, Dr. Diaho and Dr. Mtoba, in attendance to witness the incredible energy and dedication of our network.
A massive thank you to our incredible partners and dedicated educators for stepping up to shape the future of education!
Empowering Classrooms: Welcoming Our Replacement Ambassadors
We are incredibly proud to share that a significant number of our 2025/26 TEACH South Africa Ambassador cohort have successfully transitioned into permanent teaching posts! While we celebrate this massive milestone and the well-deserved recognition of their talent, it has left a few vital gaps in our partner schools. True to our mission, we have swiftly stepped in to fill these vacant posts with a dynamic new group of replacement Ambassadors.
These incoming change makers are stepping directly into classrooms where consistency and quality education are needed most, ensuring that our learners' academic journeys continue without disruption. We wish our new replacement Ambassadors the absolute best of luck as they settle into their new schools. We have no doubt that your passion, resilience, and dedication will create a lasting, positive impact on the minds and futures of the learners you serve!
Fumana Secondary SchoolWe are pleased to welcome Mr. Pfarelo Mulele, who has been placed as a replacement Ambassador, at Fumana Secondary School in Katlehong. We wish him all the best as he steps into the classroom to drive academic excellence and support his new learners. |
Geluksdal Secondary SchoolThe placement of Ms. Siphesihle Simayi as a replacement Ambassador at Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. We look forward to seeing her bring her passion and dedication to this vibrant school community. |
Katleho-Impumelelo Secondary SchoolCongratulations to Mr. Solomon Ledwaba on his placement as a replacement Ambassador at Katleho-Impumelelo Secondary School in Sebokeng, Vaal. We are confident that his presence will bring great value and energy to the learners and staff alike. |
Ratanda Secondary SchoolWe welcome Mr. Philip Mothiba, who joins Ratanda Secondary School in Ratanda, Heidelberg, as a replacement Ambassador. We look forward to supporting him as he inspires his students and champions educational excellence. |
Modiri Technical High SchoolWe are proud to announce that Ms. Precious Tshishonga has been placed as a replacement Ambassador at Modiri Technical High School in Mamelodi. We wish her immense success as she impacts her classroom and helps cultivate tomorrow's technical leaders. |
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Zitikeni Secondary School
Our recent visit to Zitikeni Secondary School in Tembisa marked a meaningful transition as we welcomed our new replacement Ambassador, Ms. Annah Sithole, and celebrated our outgoing Ambassador, Ms. Dineo Mbulangwe. We wish Ms. Sithole immense success as she steps into the classroom to support and inspire her new learners.
At the same time, we honour the incredible work of Ms. Dineo Mbulangwe, who has launched a thriving community legacy project: the Hope-Ithemba Educational Academy and Online Tutoring Programme. Her initiative focuses on reinforcing strong STEM foundations and solidifying curriculum mastery, ensuring learners are thoroughly prepared for exams and equipped to achieve academic excellence.
The Power of TEACH SA School Visits
At TEACH South Africa, we believe that exceptional teaching doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it thrives on community, connection, and deep support. Our regular school visits are designed to do far more than just observe a lesson; they are our way of immersing ourselves in the unique environment of each partner school. During these visits, we connect closely with school principals and Heads of Departments (HODs) to align our goals, step into the classrooms to see the energy and growth of the learners, and spend dedicated time checking in on our Ambassadors. By listening to everyone involved, we build the strong, trusting relationships necessary to support our Ambassadors' professional success and psychosocial well-being, ensuring they can lead with impact while feeling fully supported every step of the way.
Babinaphuthi Secondary School (Soshanguve)
Ms. Thizwilondi Tshivhuyahuvhi is driving innovation and truly becoming the vital heartbeat of her classroom.
Kgetsi-ya-Tsie Secondary School (Hammanskraal)
Visiting Ms. Dzivhani Precious Mutondi highlighted how her deep relationship-building and local dedication drive classroom success.
Mpumelelo Secondary School (Bronkhorstspruit)
Ambassadors Mr. Patrick Mudau and Ms. Nomkhosi Zungu at Mpumelelo Secondary are doing incredible work driving classroom excellence and supporting learner well-being.
Hlomphanang Secondary School (Soshanguve)
Connected with Mr. Gabriel Masenya and his school's leadership to support his continued professional growth and local impact.
Tshwane Secondary School (Pretoria)
Mr. Collen Bokgola and Ms. Reshoketswe Legora, at Tshwane Secondary in Pretoria. This visit was with our partner ELS for Autism SA.
Qalabotjha Secondary (Vlakfontein)
Our visit to Ms. Thulile Dlamini was made extra special by the presence of TEACH SA co-founder Dr. Diaho, CEO Ms. Ngubane, and our partner, HEAL SA.
Cedar Secondary School (Sasolburg)
Cedar Secondary in Sasolburg thrived under the leadership of TEACH SA Alumnus Mr. Sibanyoni ('Principal Wama2k'), proving how a passion for teaching can blossom into inspiring school leadership. Though he has now transitioned from education into the corporate sector at Sasol CSI, his legacy of excellence lives on. The high standards of academic performance and vibrant school culture he cultivated continue to inspire both learners and staff alike. Furthermore, his journey stands as a powerful testament to the caliber of educational leaders TEACH SA proudly produces.
Empowering the Future: TEACH SA and Deloitte Host Inspiring Career and Educator Workshops
On 6 March 2026, TEACH SA, in partnership with Deloitte, hosted an inspiring "Take A Boy Child to Work" initiative. The event welcomed two boys from 10 schools for an immersive day at Deloitte. The learners explored diverse career paths and engaged directly with professionals, who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and insights on reaching their career goals.
On 13 March 2026, we continued the impactful career exposure initiatives by hosting the "Take A Girl Child to Work" day. Two female learners from 10 schools spent an inspiring day at Deloitte exploring a wide range of career possibilities. The students gained invaluable mentorship as employees shared their personal stories, milestones, and the pathways they took to achieve corporate success.
In addition to the student initiative, TEACH SA hosted a parallel enrichment session for the accompanying teachers on both days. Key partners STEMulator, an interactive tool designed to spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and MoneyFundi, a platform dedicated to improving financial literacy and wellness, presented their respective educational and financial resources. This ensured that the attending educators received valuable knowledge and tools to take back and share with their colleagues, amplifying the professional development impact across all participating schools.
Looking Back at the Annual Deloitte Volunteer Day
In May, TEACH South Africa, in partnership with Deloitte, collaborated once again for the impactful annual Deloitte Volunteer Day. This initiative brought together volunteers and eager minds across four of our partner institutions: Fusion Secondary School, Thulani Secondary School, Kingsway Secondary School, Masiqhakaze Secondary School, Eqinisweni Secondary School in Gauteng, and Apex High School (Western Cape). Together, we created an inspiring platform that bridged the gap between classroom learning and the professional world, serving as a powerful investment in the futures of these young people.
Throughout the day, learners immersed themselves in interactive workshops and engaging sessions designed to equip them with practical workplace tools. Deloitte volunteers provided critical mentorship, guiding students through the essentials of CV writing, interview preparation, and professional communication to build their confidence for workplace expectations. Beyond these practical skills, the day offered learners valuable exposure to diverse career pathways in finance, technology, and consulting. By interacting directly with professionals who shared real-world insights, students were encouraged to think beyond the classroom, broaden their horizons, and envision new possibilities for their lives.
What stood out most across all six schools was the incredible energy, curiosity, and ambition displayed by the learners. Their eagerness to participate, ask thoughtful questions, and engage with the volunteers highlighted the profound impact of mentorship. The day served as a potent reminder of the quote by John Dewey: "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." When young people are given access to knowledge, guidance, and real-world experiences, they are empowered to unlock their full potential, shape their own destinies, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Together, we continue to demonstrate the ultimate power of partnership in empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
The TEACH South Africa Principals’ Breakfast
The TEACH South Africa Principals’ Breakfast, hosted on the 22nd of May 2026, brought together school leaders and education partners for a meaningful morning of reflection, connection, and shared purpose. This special event hosted the dedicated principals from our 2025/2026 school placement cohort, all of whom share a deep commitment to shaping the future of education in South Africa.
This vital engagement served to do more than strengthen collaboration, share insights, and reflect on key challenges and opportunities in supporting our schools. It also provided a crucial platform to share the academic results from Ambassador classrooms across all regions, showcasing the tangible impact being made on learner outcomes.
We are immensely grateful to every principal and education partner who joined us and contributed to these important conversations around leadership, collaboration, and impact in our schools and communities. Looking ahead, we anticipate continued collaboration and even higher achievements from our learners and educators alike.
Ambassador's Corner
We are proud to celebrate Ambassador Mr. Patrick Mudau on his continuous academic advancement! Following his graduation late last year with an Honours degree in Linguistics, Patrick has officially obtained his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from UNISA this year. Congratulations, Patrick, on equipping yourself further to impact the classroom!
We celebrate one of our Ambassador, Mr. Lungani Mbanjwa, on successfully completing his Master of Science in Veterinary Science! Your hard work, determination, and commitment to academic excellence have truly paid off, Mr. Mbanjwa. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you as you continue to inspire your learners and peers through your achievements and dedication to making a difference.
Congratulations to our dedicated TEACH SA Ambassador, Mr. Gabriel Masenya, on successfully completing his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)! This qualification marks a significant step forward in his professional journey, and we look forward to seeing him continue to channel this expertise into driving classroom excellence.
Our warmest congratulations to Ambassador Dr. Siyanda Mhlongo on his achievement of earning his PhD in Botany with a focus on plant metabolomics with a special interest in computational metabolomics, bioinformatics, and medicinal plant drug discovery.
Though his busy schedule kept him from attending his graduation ceremony in person, his groundbreaking work speaks for itself.
His story is a powerful reflection of passion, perseverance, and purpose. He has devoted his research to bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge and aims to find innovative solutions that will directly benefit local communities and advance global health. We are deeply honored to have a scholar of his caliber serving in our classrooms!
Legacy Project Spotlight: Dr. Siyanda Mhlongo Launches TerraVolve Environmental Consulting
At TEACH SA, we believe that our Ambassadors’ impact should extend far beyond the classroom walls. We are proud to highlight a remarkable legacy initiative started by one of our own: TerraVolve Environmental Consulting, founded by our newly minted PhD holder, Dr. Siyanda Mhlongo.
TerraVolve is a professional environmental services and community engagement initiative dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Born out of a passion for community transformation, this legacy project actively promotes grassroots awareness regarding responsible waste management, recycling, and environmentally conscious living.
The initiative works hand in hand with local communities, schools, and organisations to deliver practical, real-world solutions. Some of TerraVolve's core interventions include:
Waste Separation at Source: Educating communities on how to properly sort waste before it hits landfills.
Active Recycling Programmes: Setting up functional, long-term frameworks for community led recycling.
Vermicomposting Systems: Introducing specialised worm-composting setups to efficiently transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
By beautifully merging Dr. Mhlongo’s deep scientific background in Botany and Microbiology with community empowerment, TerraVolve proves that sustainable change begins with informed citizens. Through this brilliant combination of education, collaboration, and ecological innovation, Dr. Mhlongo is actively reducing environmental degradation and helping shape a cleaner, healthier future for South African communities.
Alumni Spotlight
TEACH SA Alumni Ms. Natacia Moabi recently led her learners from Kgothalang Secondary School in the Renewable Energy Competition, where together they designed and built a mini power station that serves as a backup system during load shedding while incorporating hydroelectricity generation.
Driven by a shared vision and countless hours of collaboration, the project challenged learners to apply STEM concepts to real-world energy challenges. Through hands-on learning, they explored sustainable energy solutions, strengthened their problem-solving skills, and demonstrated the power of teamwork and innovation.
Their hard work paid off, with the team emerging as winners of the Renewable Energy Competition. Judges recognised their effort, commitment, teamwork, innovation, and strong understanding of renewable energy concepts.
Congratulations to Ms. Moabi and her learners on this outstanding accomplishment.
From Ambassador to Corporate Leader: Celebrating the Journey of Mr. Siphiwe Sibanyoni
TEACH South Africa is immensely proud to celebrate the extraordinary 14-year journey of Mr Siphiwe Sibanyoni, affectionately known by his community and learners as "Principal wama 2k."
He served as the Principal of Cedar Secondary School for 4 years, and as of May 2026, Mr Sibanyoni has stepped into an exciting new chapter as the National Education Programmes Execution Specialist at Sasol South Africa.
He originally entered the education sector as a passionate maths and science Ambassador, under the 2011 TEACH SA Ambassador Cohort, and entered the classroom in 2012.
His gift for teaching and leadership was evident early on. Throughout his teaching career, he consistently produced 100% pass rates in physical sciences, leading to his rapid promotion as Departmental Head and later Deputy Principal at Iketsetseng Comprehensive Secondary School. His exceptional contributions to science education were recognised on the grandest stage when he won first place in the South African National Teaching Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.
When Mr. Sibanyoni took the helm as Principal of Cedar Secondary School in 2022, he instituted a deep culture of accountability, academic rigour, and holistic student support. What made his tenure truly extraordinary was his hands-on dedication: despite his packed executive schedule running the school, he continued to teach Grade 12 Physical Sciences full-time.
His rare ability to balance school leadership with full-time teaching earned him the prestigious accolade of Top Teacher in Physical Sciences in the Free State. His approachable, light-hearted personality coupled with uncompromising classroom standards galvanised both faculty and learners alike.
The fruits of his leadership and direct teaching are clearly visible in the school's historic matric results:
2024: Achieved a 100% Matric Pass Rate with a staggering 85.4% Bachelor passes.
2025: Maintained a 100% Matric Pass Rate while elevating quality further to 94.6% Bachelor passes, 5.6% Diploma passes, and 0% Higher Certificates.
He has consistently practised the lifelong learning he preaches. Holding a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Pretoria, he went on to earn a PGCE (Life and Natural Sciences) and an Honours degree in Physical and Natural Sciences from UNISA. True to his relentless work ethic, he is currently in the final stages of completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in School Science, focusing his research on innovative, evidence-based practices to transform science education across South Africa.
While the school community will deeply miss the beloved "Principal wama 2k," we are happy to see him take his systemic insight, passion, and leadership to a national scale with Sasol.
Congratulations, Mr Sibanyoni! Thank you for beautifully exemplifying the core mission of TEACH South Africa. We look forward to addressing you very soon as Dr Sibanyoni.
Frank Dialogue on the Future of Education and Skills Development
TEACH South Africa participated in the Frank Dialogue on the Future of Education and Skills Development on the 18th of June 2026, joining leaders, policymakers, and education stakeholders, including the Minister of Basic Education, Ms. Siviwe Gwarube, in meaningful discussions about the future of learning in South Africa.
The event brought together key voices from across the education and skills development sector to examine emerging challenges, share insights, and explore practical solutions for strengthening South Africa’s education system and preparing young people for the future world of work.
Through engaging panel discussions, thought-provoking presentations, and collaborative dialogue, participants explored the role of innovation, partnerships, and leadership in creating more equitable and effective education opportunities. These conversations highlighted the importance of collective action in ensuring that young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Honouring a Legacy of Heart and Service: Celebrating the Retirement of Ntate Modisana Mosiuoa
TEACH South Africa bids a deeply fond farewell to our beloved Stakeholder Relations Manager, Mr Modisana Mosiuoa, known to us all as Ntate Mosiuoa as he steps down to begin his well-deserved retirement. To our stakeholders, alumni, ambassadors, and office staff, Ntate has been far more than a colleague; he has been a steady father figure with a rare gift for making everyone feel safe, welcome, and valued.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy built on genuine care and authentic connection. Whether it was through a thoughtful phone call, a warm WhatsApp message, or a quick check-in on social media, Ntate always had an uncanny knack for knowing exactly when someone needed a helping hand, a listening ear, or just the right words to ease their day along.
Ntate truly brought the milestones and celebrations of our ambassadors and alumni into the very heart of the TEACH SA team. He championed the philosophy of working hard, but laughing twice as hard, ensuring that no challenge ever felt insurmountable when faced with his signature light-heartedness.
As he retires to focus on his family, his church, and a peaceful, well-earned rest, we send him our deepest gratitude. Of course, as we all know, no one ever truly leaves the TEACH SA family; Ntate remains an indelible part of our network and our hearts.
Thank you immensely for your years of selfless service, Ntate. You will be missed deeply, but your warmth remains with us as you are, but a phone call away.
Upcoming TEACH SA Activities
We are excited to share an exclusive opportunity from our partner, Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), who is seeking talented educators for freelance roles. They are looking for specialists in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology within the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6).
Apply using the link below
TEACH SA, in partnership with Inspire from Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, is pleased to invite you to the Quarter 2 Inspire Workshop. This two-day training session is specifically designed to strengthen your impact as both a leader and an educator, focusing on cultivating an "Entrepreneurial Mindset".
Fill in RSVP on the form below.
Event Details:
📍: Ellis Park Stadium
📅: Sunday, 26 July 2026
How to Join Us:
Step 1: Register online via the link below.
Step 2: Confirm your participation and T-shirt size with Zanoxolo Mazibuko using the details provided in the poster.
We are currently producing a commemorative celebration booklet to honour Ambassador and Alumni'sAmbassadors' collective journeys, cherished memories, and growth from your first days as eager Ambassadors to your current roles as accomplished leaders and change-makers.
The profound impact of TEACH SA is written through your dedication, both inside and outside the classroom. To ensure this legacy is captured authentically, we want to represent as many of your diverse voices as possible.
To ensure that no story is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to be featured, we have created a dedicated reflection survey.
We look forward to reading your reflections and highlighting your stories in this special edition!
Kindly share your journey by completing the form below:
Coming Soon:
TEACH SA Golf Day
