05/10/2026
In celebration of world teachers day, Zinhle Dube from YAWA Foundation recognises her primary school English teacher Mr. Mafisa. He introduced me to a language that opened doors that my surroundings deemed closed for people like me.
“𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.”
For Michelle Kunene, TLT’s Programme Administrator, that person was her high school teacher, Ms Buys.
Ms Buys made sure Michelle understood what she was being taught and, in Michelle’s words, “literally did not let me settle for less.” She was protective, challenged her when she needed it and encouraged her to recognise her own potential.
That belief stayed with Michelle. It shaped her work ethic, determination and approach to challenges, and ultimately influenced her own journey in education. Michelle went on to study a Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching and has since worked across education and after-school programmes. Today, she supports After School Programmes (ASPs) working to create opportunities for learners to learn, play, grow and thrive 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢.
This is part of what makes the education ecosystem so important. A teacher’s influence does not end when the school day does. After-school practitioners, teachers, caregivers and communities all play a role in creating the conditions young people need to thrive.
As we mark 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐃𝐚𝐲, we celebrate the teachers who see potential in young people, challenge them to aim higher and sometimes believe in them before they can believe in themselves.
We also recognise the after-school practitioners who continue that work 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢, creating spaces where learners can build confidence, develop new skills and discover what they are capable of.
Here’s to the people who keep young people #𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰.
