A LEGACY OF IMPACT: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2026 ALUMNI CELEBRATION
On Saturday, 11 April 2026, the TEACH South Africa family gathered at the PPS premises for the 2026 Alumni Celebration. The event marked 18 years of impact, reconnection, reflection and the official launch of a renewed alumni movement.
Founded as the brainchild of Drs Mothomang Diaho and Futhi Mtoba, both ALI SA Fellows from Class II: Kilimanjaro, TEACH South Africa stands as an example of values-based leadership translated into practical action in South Africa’s classrooms.
The celebration brought together Alumni, Ambassadors, partners and friends of TEACH South Africa. The morning opened with a moving performance by the Masiqhakaze Secondary School Choir, arranged through Mandisa Bidi, a 2014 Alumna who continues to serve in education.
The programme was guided by Mr Phushaza Sibiya, Presenter at 702, whose warmth and energy created space for both meaningful engagement and deep reflection.
Ms Nelisani Njezula, Channel Analyst at PPS, welcomed guests and reflected on the alignment between PPS for Professionals and TEACH South Africa. This was followed by an address from TEACH South Africa CEO, Ms Sedibeng Ngubane, who reflected on the organisation’s journey from a bold idea to a national movement.
A key moment of the morning was the keynote address by Aubrey Masango, Broadcast Journalist at Primedia 702, titled The Power of Connection. He challenged guests to think beyond credentials and focus instead on competence, relationship and purpose.
“We have made the deep existential mistake of thinking that the person who has the credential is educated,” Masango said. “What we are actually looking for is competence, and competence speaks of relationship. It is the relationship you have with the problem that must be solved.”
He reminded the educators and alumni in the room that subjects are tools, but teachers are the connectors who bring those tools to life.
“The mathematics, the science, the English, those are tools. They are like a sword. But the sword by itself cannot change anything; it is the hand that holds the sword that will change things.”
The alumni panel built on this theme, exploring how TEACH South Africa can move from a list of names to a living, active movement. Panellists included Siphiwe Sibanyoni, a 2020 Alumnus and Principal of Cedar Secondary School; Zandile Ntuli, a 2011 Alumna and Head of Programmes at the Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation; Dineo Mbulangwe, a 2025/26 Ambassador; and Dr Mothomang Diaho, TEACH South Africa Co-Founder.
Each speaker reflected on the value of connection, mentorship and shared ownership. As Dr Diaho noted, “Networks don’t happen organically. They are built intentionally. A movement requires structure, participation, and shared ownership.”
The heart of the event was captured through the beneficiary reflection by Ms Bongiwe Nene, a Software Engineer at Standard Bank and former learner from Jabulani Technical High School. Bongiwe shared how her life was shaped by Zandile Ntuli, who taught her in 2012 and exposed her to possibilities beyond her immediate environment.
“One teacher can change the direction of a child’s life far beyond the marks they obtain in the classroom,” Bongiwe shared. “It goes deeper than that, to the heart of what a child dreams and believes is possible for themselves.”
Her reflection was a powerful reminder of TEACH South Africa’s purpose: to change lives through teachers who see, nurture and believe in the potential of every learner. The emotional standing ovation that followed captured the depth of gratitude and legacy present in the room.
The event also marked the official launch of the Alumni Movement, led by Mr Morné Scholtz, a 2011 Alumnus. He introduced the newly formed Alumni Committee and called on alumni to re-engage, participate and help build a stronger, more connected network.
The day closed with reflections from Dr Buyani Zwane, Chairperson of TEACH South Africa, who thanked the organisation’s partners, founders, alumni and ambassadors for continuing to carry the mission forward.
Guests left with more than memories of a reunion. They left with a renewed commitment to the belief that every child in South Africa deserves access to quality education and to teachers who believe they can excel beyond their circumstances.
