JumpStartSA

14/08/2026

Proud of our Executive Director Lufuno Muthubi - Mthethwa this nomination is well earned and well deserved.

06/08/2026

Our Executive Director Lufuno Muthubi - Mthethwa joined Clarence Ford on CapeTalk “Everyday Heroes” to discuss one of South Africa's most urgent challenges: to ensure children develop their foundational mathematics skills that will set them up for success for matric and beyond.

Listen to the full interview here: https://omny.fm/shows/mid-morning/everyday-heroes-jump-start?in_playlist=everyday-heroes

The conversation explores why it’s critical to build numeracy skills from grades R-3, how JumpStart is working with government to improve outcomes in under-resourced schools, and the practical interventions helping 26 000 learners each year, while supporting teachers and unemployed youth across South Africa.

Views and News with Clarence Ford is the mid-morning show on CapeTalk. This 3-hour long programme shares and reflects a broad array of perspectives. It is inspirational, passionate and positive. Host Clarence Ford’s gentle curiosity and dapper demeanour leave listeners feeling motivated and empowe...

04/08/2026

South Africa's mathematics crisis isn't a lack of potential. It's a lack of access to solutions that work.
The good news? We know what works.

Through JumpStart's evidence-based NumberSense Mathematics Programme, early-grade learners develop the deep understanding of numbers that they will need to succeed throughout their education, while teachers receive the practical training, tools and support they need to teach mathematics with confidence.

Today we're working in 138 schools. But 138 schools is only the beginning.

Help us reach more learners, more classrooms and more futures: https://jumpstart.org.za/hopeishere

Our future is strength in numbers!

28/07/2026

Thank you, Sasol Foundation 🙏
Thank you for believing in our shared vision, and for helping more children build the strong mathematics foundations that can unlock STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), further education and future careers.

Together, we're helping create brighter futures, one learner at a time 🌟
Our future is strength in numbers.
Learn more and support our work: https://jumpstart.org.za/hopeishere/

23/07/2026

We're immensely proud to share that our Finance & Shared Services Lead, Lukesh Sookoo, has been selected for the inaugural Zenex Foundation NPO Leadership Programme.

He was chosen through a highly competitive selection process and joins a cohort of just 12 senior leaders from across South Africa's education sector, so he's in good company.

Over the next two years, they will learn, collaborate, and strengthen their strategic leadership capabilities for greater organisational and sector impact.

At JumpStart, we know that our work depends on more than great programmes, it also depends on great people, like Lukesh. So, congratulations Lukesh, on this well-deserved achievement. We know the knowledge, relationships and insights you'll gain through the programme will not only strengthen your own leadership skills but also enrich our organisation and the work we do.

Thank you to the Zenex Foundation for investing in leaders who are actively strengthening South Africa's education sector. We wish all the leaders every success on the journey ahead.

21/07/2026

What if the problem was never mathematics... but the way it was taught? 🤔
For many of us, mathematics was something to survive, not enjoy.

But JumpStart's NumberSense Mathematics Programme is changing that, one classroom at a time 👏
Our NumberSense workbooks are filled with fun, hands-on activities that develop real mathematical understanding. Combined with an extra 140 hours of mathematics support every year, learners gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive 🌟
Because when children understand numbers, they don't just do better in mathematics, they build foundations FOR LIFE.

Learn more: https://jumpstart.org.za/hopeishere/

16/07/2026

Twenty years from now, South Africa will need more scientists, engineers, teachers, coders and problem-solvers than ever before.

The children in our classrooms today could become them.
But first, they need a strong foundation in mathematics.

By strengthening foundational mathematics in the early grades using the NumberSense Mathematics Programme, JumpStart gives more children the chance to access STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects that will help them to pursue their dream careers and help build the technologies and innovations South Africa will need.

Our future is strength in numbers.
Learn more: https://jumpstart.org.za/hopeishere/

14/07/2026

Listen to JumpStart Executive Director Lufuno Muthubi - Mthethwa's interview on Cape Talk here: https://omny.fm/shows/afternoons-with-pippa-hudson/family-matters-fixing-maths-is-needed-at-the-foundation-phase

A conversation around how early grade learners can master foundational mathematics more easily when they're taught in their home language. And why this is the key to better mathematics results further down the line.

Join the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Saskia Falken speaks to Lufuno Muthubi-Mthethwa, CEO of the JumpStart Foundation, an NGO that's helping young learners build strong maths skills by teaching them in their home languages, about fixing maths studies at the foundation phase. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. T...

09/07/2026

For all the progress made since June 16th 1976, South Africa is sadly still failing its learners.

There are many factors contributing to the mathematics crisis in our country, but one that ties most closely to what the youth of ‘76 marched for – is language.

In her latest op-ed published in the Daily Maverick, JumpStart’s Executive Director Lufuno Muthubi - Mthethwa goes deeper into why mother-tongue based learning for foundation phase is critical for better mathematics outcomes for millions of learners.

Read her powerful piece here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-06-25-fifty-years-after-the-soweto-uprising-are-we-still-failing-learners-because-of-language/?dm_source=blocks-horizontal&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform

Fifty years after the Soweto uprising, South Africa’s sudden Grade 4 shift to English instruction creates an academic cliff, proving mother-tongue education remains vital for mathematical comprehensio…

07/07/2026

Did you know? JumpStart has THREE programmes with ONE goal: to enable better opportunities for the youth of South Africa.

From our Early Grade Mathematics programme, to our Youth Employment programme, to our Teacher Training – we’re equipping learners, young adults and mathematics teachers with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, and to help South Africa succeed.

But we cannot do this alone, we need the support of funders, donors and government to expand our programmes and change even more lives.

Our future is strength in numbers.
Can we count you in?

Visit us to learn more and support the work we do: https://jumpstart.org.za/hopeishere/