For 15 years, TEACH South Africa, an ALI SA Venture founded by Fellows Dr Mothomang Diaho and Dr Futhi Mtoba, has been transforming education by placing top graduates in under-resourced schools as Ambassadors. Through this initiative, ALI SA’s commitment to fostering leadership and driving social impact comes to life—ensuring that quality teaching reaches the learners who need it most. With over 800 Ambassadors deployed and a proven track record of improving STEM results, TEACH SA embodies the ALI SA spirit of action and transformation. As the programme looks to scale its impact, ALI SA Fellows have an opportunity to contribute their expertise, networks, and resources.
TEACH South Africa: Transforming Education, One Ambassador at a Time
It’s just before 7 AM, and Dineo, a top-performing statistics graduate and TEACH South Africa Ambassador, prepares for her Grade 11 maths class in a Gauteng high school. As she reviews her lesson plan, she reflects on a recent conversation with Lehlohonolo, a student who once struggled but now shows genuine interest in ‘Energy and Change’ and ‘Matter and Materials’. This moment encapsulates why Dineo became an Ambassador – to clear the path for young minds and help them connect the dots.
TEACH South Africa has been addressing the challenge of providing quality teaching to under-resourced schools. The programme has since graduated over 800 TEACH SA Ambassadors, making a significant impact on South Africa’s education landscape.
The programme’s success is evident in the improved pass rates in schools where TEACH SA Ambassadors have been deployed. In 2024, classrooms taught by Ambassadors recorded higher pass rates in STEM subjects compared to the national average, with notable increases in distinctions in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. For instance, while the national pass rate for mathematics was 69.1% (up from 63.5% in 2023), TEACH SA schools saw even greater improvements.
TEACH SA’s impact extends beyond academics. Ambassadors implement Legacy Projects, fostering innovation and practical problem-solving skills among students. Notable projects include:
• Turning organic waste into biogas
• Creating solar-powered smart food gardens
• Developing potential loadshedding solutions (winners at the SASOL Energy Innovation Challenge 2024)
The programme’s holistic approach is further demonstrated by its Saturday School Programme, catering to 203 learners across Grades 11 and 12, and partnerships with organisations like Heartlines, Heal SA, and KeReady to address non-academic barriers to learning.
To scale its programmes and reach more schools, TEACH SA is seeking support from ALI SA Fellows in the following areas:
1. Corporate partnerships and sponsorship for “Saturday Schools” providing extra lessons to children and communities
2. Funding support for operational costs
3. Technical expertise in marketing, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation
As one TEACH SA founder reflects, “It all started with a dream to make an educational impact in under-resourced schools around South Africa, and over the years we have developed a holistic approach to supporting our Ambassadors to make lasting change in their schools beyond education.”
ALI SA will host a Venture Workshop on TEACH SA in June 2025, inviting Fellows interested in improving education in South Africa to participate and contribute their expertise.
