Reflecting on a Year of Significant Impact
December 2025 Newsletter
As the year draws to a close and we finalise the fourth quarter, we reflect on an exciting 2025 marked by numerous highlights for the office team, our dedicated Ambassadors, and our invaluable Alumni network. We look forward to the upcoming Matric results next year with anticipation and immense pride, confident in the dedication and effort demonstrated by our learners across all our school networks.
This spirit of determined action and proactive planning is perfectly encapsulated by the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." This ethos has guided our work throughout 2025, inspiring us to make the remainder of the year one of our most successful yet.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continuous support, which has been instrumental in the significant impact and success we have achieved across our organisation this year.
In this edition, we have many exciting updates for you:
The Partners' Brunch highlights and outcomes.
News from the Nedbank Eyethu Gala Dinner.
Updates on School Donation at Kingsway Secondary School.
Formal Introduction of the TEACH SA Alumni Committee.
Reflections from the Office Team on the year’s achievements.
Visit our website to learn more about our Ambassadors:
TEACH SA Celebrates Legacy and Future Vision with Partners
On Friday, October 17, 2025, TEACH SA hosted a morning of reflection and strategic collaboration at the Deloitte Johannesburg's Midrand offices. The event, attended by key stakeholders, partners and Alumni, celebrated the organisation’s 17-year journey of impactful intervention in South African education.
The gathering served to acknowledge the vital role of partnerships, including the Gauteng Department of Education, Deloitte (Social Impact), Nedbank (Eyethu Trust), and Peermont (Children’s Trust), Department of Labour, Heal SA and many more, in strengthening the pipeline of high-quality STEM educators, amongst many others.
From Founding Vision to National Scale
The session opened with a heartfelt welcome from the Programme Director, Ms. Malibongwe Mngomezulu (2014 cohort), who acknowledged the diverse group of partners committed to educational equity. The stage was then set by Dr. Diaho, TEACH SA Co-founder, who shared the organisation’s founding vision and reflected on the milestones, achievements, and challenges overcome in the 17 years since inception.
The narrative quickly shifted from historical roots to tangible success, with a session dedicated to Alumni Impact. The audience was presented with inspiring profiles of former Ambassadors, now thriving across various sectors, demonstrating the profound ripple effect of TEACH SA’s model.
The State of Education and Future Leaders
A focal point of the event was the address by Emisang Machedi (2011 cohort), who delivered an insightful presentation on "The State of Education in Southern Africa." Emisang offered a compelling analysis of regional challenges and opportunities, directly linking his successful career path back to the training and mentorship he received during his time as a TEACH SA Ambassador.
The focus then moved to the present, with Samson Ngomane (2023 cohort), presenting the latest organisational data. Mr. Ngomane highlighted the measurable value generated by the current cohort, noting significant improvements in learner pass rates, the number of schools reached, and the high standard of excellence, including the fact that all Ambassadors have obtained PGCE qualifications, in accordance with 2025 SACE regulations.
He also celebrated outstanding achievements, such as PhD candidates and Ambassadors initiating legacy projects such as running clubs and science tutoring organisations within the current cohort of 2025/2026.
Sustaining the Collective Impact
Closing the session, Sedibeng Ngubane, CEO of TEACH SA, expressed deep gratitude to all speakers and attendees. Her remarks reinforced the central role of collaborative effort, stating that learners remain the ultimate beneficiaries of the dedication shown by Ambassadors, Alumni, and partners alike.
Ms. Ngubane shared the organisation’s vision for the future, including the continued success of the TEACH SA Saturday School programme, and issued a clear invitation for sustained and expanded partnerships.
The event concluded with a video showcasing TEACH SA Ambassadors and Alumni participation in the Nedbank Green Indaba, followed by a networking brunch, underscoring the collective momentum driving the future of STEM education in South Africa.
Nedbank SIU Appreciation Awards
Nedbank has been an integral partner of TEACH SA. Hence, the invitation to attend the 2025 Nedbank Social Impact Unit Appreciation Dinner on the 18th of November 2025 was a welcome recognition of our partnership, and an excellent opportunity to celebrate the success and impact of the 150 Ambassadors placed through our collaboration since 2023.
TEACH SA was represented in a high-level discussion, advocating for the holistic support ecosystems necessary to ensure our learners not only progress but thrive in their educational journey, with the inclusion of Ms. Sedibeng Ngubane, speaking on it on a panel with ISFAP, Tomorrow Trust, and others. There were other panel discussions ranging from sports in communities, entrepreneurship, and green economy.
The evening was a testament to the power of collaborations and partnerships that drive meaningful change. Earlier in the day, a golf event took place as part of the celebrations, and we are happy to report that TEACH South Africa was nominated for, and won, the Top Eyethu Partner award against other impactful organisations.
This achievement is a testament to the tireless efforts of our Ambassadors and Alumni working on the ground, and we are are grateful for this acknowledgement and are excited to continue making a positive impact in under-resourced communities, focusing on quality education and building futures in STEM fields.
Kingsway Secondary Donations with Explore Johannesburg
Our commitment to our Whole School Development pillar goes beyond classroom support. We actively seek partners and resources to address non-academic barriers, ensuring learners have the stability and care needed to thrive and focus on their education.
This commitment led to a heartwarming collaboration with the Morton family from North Carolina, USA, who were visiting South Africa with Explore Johannesburg. As active members of the education sector in their home country, the Morton family was eager to donate to a deserving school within the TEACH SA school network.
Through the efforts of our Ambassador, Tshepo Motsili (2025 cohort), who is placed at Kingsway Secondary School, the school was identified as the recipient.
On the morning of November 28, 2025, TEACH SA facilitated the donation handover of 54 pairs of new school shoes. It was a moving experience to witness the joy and anticipation among the learners as they received these gifts, providing essential support as they look forward to the new school year.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Morton family for their generosity and to Explore Johannesburg for connecting us to this wonderful opportunity to support the Kingsway Secondary School.
As a highlight of this excursion, one deserving learner, Ms. Unalo Mdluli (Grade 8), has been personally selected by the Morton family to participate in their mentorship programme. This remarkable investment in the learner's personal and professional development is a direct reflection of the positive impact that can be achieved through collaborative community engagement.
|
|
Alumni Corner
Introducing the TEACH SA Alumni Committee
We are delighted to report a significant milestone in our organisational growth: the successful formation of the TEACH SA Alumni Committee.
On November 19, 2025, we hosted a pivotal Alumni Roundtable, gathering numerous Alumni from diverse cohorts both in-person and virtually. The session was highly productive, focusing on transitioning our Alumni engagement strategy from organisational management to Alumni empowerment.
As TEACH SA celebrated 17 years in the education space in 2025, it has been one of our missions over the past few years to bring together the backbone of our community - our Alumni!
This committee represents a crucial step in mobilising the wealth of experience within our Alumni network, ensuring their talents continue to shape the future of education in South Africa.
Meet the Alumni Committee: (from left: back row) Mr. Samson Ngomane ( 2023 cohort), Mr. Emisang Machedi (2011 cohort), Ms. Lindiwe Ngwenya (2011 cohort), Mr. Morne Scholtz (2011 cohort),
(from left: front row) Ms. Mandisa Bidi (2014 cohort), Ms. Zandile Ntuli ( 2011 cohort), Professor Mafor Penn (2009 cohort)
Virtual attendance: Mr. Mzwandile Andries Nduku (2016 cohort), Ms. Malibongwe Mngomezulu (2014 cohort)
"My heart is full, to the TEACH South Africa family, my love for you knows no bounds... It was important for us to make this happen. I am grateful for the support, the cheerleading, the VIP treatment and for this necessary conversation... Super grateful for being a part of this family. We will continue being Ambassadors and flying the TEACH SA flag higher" - Zandile Ntuli
2025 Team Reflections
As we close off the year, the team shares a series of reflections encompassing key moments to celebrate our collective inspiration and conclude with the motivating words that will fuel our momentum into the new year.
Taking Strides With Our Partners
The collaborative spirit fuels everything we do at TEACH SA. Rooted deeply in community, we envision a future where, by uniting with visionary institutions, we can ignite and amplify educational impact, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends across all the communities we serve and beyond.
This vision includes empowering our network with cutting-edge learning opportunities, which is why we are proud to partner with Deloitte to offer their extensive e-learning platform, the World Class Education Hub. This platform provides a wealth of courses designed to upskill our learners, Ambassadors, and Alumni, offering valuable skills and recognised certifications to enhance their journeys.
Explore the Deloitte World Class Education Hub below.
Heal SA has been instrumental in supporting the mental health of our Ambassadors and Alumni.
Ways to get HEAL SA Services:
- Call Centre on 011 880 334 - Press 2 for the TEACH SA line.
- WhatsApp 086 323 6869
- Scan QR Code to Register
We are building a movement where you can be a change maker by giving a little to support educational transformation.
Start small, make a difference.
If you want to make a difference, click on the button below to see how you can join the movement.
Calling all TEACH SA Alumni!
As TEACH SA marks its 17th year of fostering educational excellence, we want to celebrate the heart of our community – our Alumni!
Help us commemorate this special year by sharing a picture of your cohort, along with your cohort year and a little about where life has taken you.
Let us reconnect and celebrate the powerful TEACH SA network!
Share your stories and where-abouts with us on info@teachsouthafrica.org
TEACH SA Google Review
Please consider leaving TEACH SA a review on our Google platform! You can easily do so using the button below or by scanning the QR code.
