Zeenat Hendricks

“I’m not teaching children anymore — I’m teaching the Annual Teaching Plan,” Rendani, a Foundation phase teacher, told us in quiet resignation. “I have passion for this thing, but I think I’m tired. I am not better than when I entered the system,” she added. It was hard to hear and equally difficult to say. […]

Why the Foundation Phase Needs Men Like Mr. Msomi, and What He’s Teaching Us About Fatherhood in South Africa  A reflection for Father’s Day, 21 June 2026  There is a sentence that follows men into Foundation Phase classrooms in South Africa, half curse and half compliment, said with raised eyebrows by colleagues and parents: “You are a male teacher, but you […]

In Cape Town, a child living on the Cape Flats does not always wake up to the certainty of safe passage to school. Gang violence, poverty and systemic inequality shape whether learning can even begin. Classrooms are disrupted not by bombs, but by bullets, hunger and fear. I think of a pupil I taught, Kaylin. […]

A Grade 2 teacher who put 1,500 books into the hands of learners in Mahikeng A little while back, Zama mentioned a teacher I had to speak to, someone who had run a book drive that was doing real work in her community. That teacher is Tshegofatso Seitlhamo, a Foundation Phase Educator teaching Grade 2 […]

Reflections from the Teachers CAN CPTD Learning Circle  By Steven Mollo  What happens when teachers are given space to openly discuss the realities, frustrations, and possibilities of Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD)?  At the recent Teachers CAN CPTD Learning Circle, the answer became clear: teachers are eager for practical support, honest conversation, and peer-led learning […]

Reflecting on the First Teachers CAN Network Café of 2026  The first Teachers CAN Network Café of 2026 created an important space for teachers across the network to reflect on a critical question: What does innovation and technology in schools really mean?  What made the session particularly powerful was that it was led by teachers from […]

I am Gugu Priscilla Xulu, an innovative class manager with 13 years of experience teaching mathematics to primary school learners in grades 4-7. My passion for teaching has been evident since childhood, and it is the driving force behind my career as an educator. Throughout my studies, I dedicated my weekends to teaching other children […]

My name is Sanele Msomi, and I reside in the Mvini area, a rural part of KwaZulu-Natal. I began my career as a teacher assistant in 2008, employed by the Department of Education. My primary responsibility was to support young learners experiencing challenges in reading, writing, and numeracy. I am passionate about working with young […]

My name is Lindokuhle S. Zungu, and I am a 33-year-old educator who views teaching as both a calling and a lifelong passion. I hold a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree in the Intermediate Phase, with specialisations in Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology (NST), Languages, and Social Sciences (SS). This academic foundation has equipped me […]

My name is Phumelele Hlongwane. I became a teacher because I believe education changes lives. I love helping learners grow in confidence and reach their full potential. I am passionate about building a strong community for teachers so we can support and learn from one another. I believe teachers thrive more in supportive communities. My […]

Nomfundo Myeni is the Departmental Head and a special education teacher at Siphosethu Special School. A dedicated and award-winning educator, she holds a BA Honours in Argumentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Honours in Teacher Education and Professional Development. With 12 years of experience, Mrs Myeni has fostered an accessible and supportive environment for learners […]

I teach to transform, empower, and uplift individuals, equipping them to become responsible citizens. In my role, I strive to instil strong moral values, respect, ubuntu, compassion, discipline, and obedience, and to serve as a positive role model within my school community. I am passionate about building a community for teachers because professional growth is […]

Ayanda Muziwandile Kubheka is an award-winning South African educator at Harpo Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal. He serves nationally as the career organiser for Rural 2 Rural Initiative. He also serves as both the contributor and presenter for Nongoma FM and Abaqulusi FM. He is the Founder and Director of Amasobode Foundation, a South African organisation […]

I am a 38-year-old educator who grew up in a large family in a township in KwaZulu-Natal. My journey into teaching was profoundly shaped by Mr D. Naidoo, a teacher who recognised my potential and encouraged me to pursue my purpose. Through his mentorship, I experienced firsthand the transformative power a dedicated teacher can have […]

I am a passionate Foundation Phase teacher with 13 years of experience teaching grades 2 and 3. I strongly believe that education is the most powerful tool for transforming lives, families, and communities. My classroom is not just a space for academic learning, but is a space where confidence is built, kindness is nurtured, potential […]

My name is Sphesihle Khoza, and I am a dedicated, lifelong learner serving as a Departmental Head at Gobeni Primary School. I chose the teaching profession because I am committed to helping and guiding the younger generation toward receiving a quality education. For me, teaching is fundamentally about shaping the future. I am passionate about […]

Silindile Jiyana is a passionate educator, Departmental Head of the Foundation Phase at Mpolimpolini Primary School in the Magwangwa area, and a 2026 Lead Multiplier with Teachers CAN. Based in Ndumo and originally from Mtubatuba in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, she is deeply committed to shaping young minds and supporting fellow educators within her community. Silindile began […]

When we think about teachers, we often picture their role within the classroom. At Teachers CAN, we are increasingly recognising that teachers are not only educators — they are also powerful systems-change actors. In the deep rural stretches of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, education is often measured in marks, pass rates, and curriculum coverage. But after seven years […]