In our Roadmap for Change series, where we engage with South African universities in the Western Cape and Gauteng (our university partners), we hope to bring you all the necessary information about the PGCE qualification, the requirements to attain a PGCE qualification and how JGF can support your journey to impacting education in South Africa. Joi…

In our Roadmap for Change series, where we engage with South African universities in the Western Cape and Gauteng (our university partners), we hope to bring you all the necessary information about the PGCE qualification, the requirements to attain a PGCE qualification and how JGF can support your journey to impacting education in South Africa. Joi…

In our Roadmap for Change series, where we engage with South African universities in the Western Cape and Gauteng (our university partners), we hope to bring you all the necessary information about the PGCE qualification, the requirements to attain a PGCE qualification and how JGF can support your journey to impacting education in South Africa. Joi…

In this episode, we hear Ravi Bhat (Microsoft's Chief Technology Officer, Africa Region) tells our Candidate Fellows more about the advent of Chat GPT and AI and how it can be used in education. He shares his experience, why teaching matters to him and more about technology's role in the classroom. Our Candidate Fellows share their views on AI and …

In this episode, Mathabo Tlali is joined by Sithembiso Gugu Mbatha as we get to know her. She is a JGF Fellow, a newly qualified teacher in her second year of teaching, and a JGF Candidate Fellow Representative on our Board. Gugu shares about her journey to JGF, her leadership journey and what it's like being a CF Rep, what #iJGFYethu means to her …

Part three and the final instalment of the SoNA Reaction series is a conversation we all need to hear. In this episode, Mathabo Tlali is joined by Martin Gustafsson, an education economist and associate professor attached to the Research on Socio-Economic Policy (ReSEP), linked to the Department of Economics at Stellenbosch University. Martin gives…

Part two of the SoNA Reaction series is an intergenerational conversation, between JGF Teacher Mentor, Marj Brown and JGF Candidate Fellow, Iviwe Mtubu reflecting on #SONA2023 from a JGF perspective. Both are passionate about education and what it looks like in the context of South Africa's past, present and future. They provide their perspective a…

In our Season 3 premiere episode, Mathabo Tlali is joined by JGF Candidate Fellow and NQT, Luna August and Youth Capital Network Mobiliser, Lethiwe Nkosi. They give us their reactions and insights on the State of the Nation Address and their thoughts as it pertains to youth development and education. This is the first of three episodes in this seri…

In the series finale of 'Humans of JGF', we talk to Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Chairperson of the Board at JGF. Prof. Jansen is Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He is currently President of the South African Academy of Science and the Knight-Hennessey Fellow at Stanford University (2020). He started …

Meet Julian Hewitt, CEO at JGF. Julian is passionate about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and education. With a commerce degree from Stellenbosch behind his name, Julian has applied this knowledge in founding several social enterprises. He previously headed up Allan Gray Orbis Foundation’s Fellowship Programme and currently sits on th…

In this episode of 'Humans of JGF', our host, Mathabo Tlali is in the hot seat. Born eKomani, raised eQonce and educated in Makhanda – Mathabo is a proud multi-talented small-town Eastern Cape native, whose roots are currently in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her eclectic career path includes success in advertising as a digital marketing strategist, …

Meet Carla Watson, Head of the Graduate Teaching Fellowship at JGF. Carla is an experienced teacher who firmly believes in the importance of emotional and pedagogical resilience skills for new teachers entering diverse contexts of South African schools. She believes in the entrepreneurial mindset is especially important for teachers in schools. Lis…

Rudi Magi (they/them) is a person of many trades, with experiences ranging from teaching in both ‘mainstream’ and special education settings. An alum of the University of Pretoria, they hold a Bachelor of Education in FET (General); supported financially by the Thuto Thebe Educational Fund. Rudi then continued working in the higher education space …

Meet Marvin Weavers, Selection Administrator at JGF. Marvin prides himself in being a Capetonian. He holds diplomas in Business Management and Management and is now pursuing his BTech in Project Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Marvin started his career in the Arts sector, managing several projects as Youth Development …

Meet Amy Underwood and Siwaphiwe Sibeko, Senior Programme Officers at JGF. Amy loves working with people to maximize their potential. Her career has been centred around education and development. She completed a Master in Education at the University of Cape Town and during this time spent six months in Finland on an international programme studying…

In this episode of our series, we meet Johanna Letlhogela and Rebecca Pillay. Johanna is JGF's Events & Logistics Specialist and Rebecca is JGF's Beneficiary Allowance Officer - both are our all-round Project Managers. Johanna is passionate about entrepreneurial education and youth development. Her career has been rather interesting: starting off i…

Meet Pearl Moonsamy, Finance Business Partner at JGF. Pearl is an accomplished financial professional with extensive experience leading strategic financial plans and operations. Her expertise resonates in developing and implementing financial and accounting processes and systems while establishing effective procedures that will ultimately drive bus…

In this episode, we meet Alendra McLean, HR Business Partner at JGF. Alendra is an experienced Human Resources professional with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry, skilled in HR consulting, talent acquisition, labour relations, and networking. We hope you enjoy this episode. Connect with us: Website: http://www.jgfellowship.o…

Meet Jade (Damonse) Glenn. Jade holds an Honours in Educational Psychology (UWC) and a Bachelor of Education degree in English and Life Orientation (UWC). From a young age, she realised her life’s calling is social change and leadership in education. Jade is an experienced teacher and firmly believes her learners benefitted from her strategy of sup…

In this episode of the series, we meet Cephas Mutami. Cephas has over 14 years of experience in research, data management, monitoring and evaluation across several sectors such as higher education, development practice, environment and property. He holds qualifications in planning, development planning, development studies, and monitoring and evalu…

In this segment of 'Humans of JGF' we get to know Samora Menze. ​​Samora is an experienced teacher with a passion for mentoring and supporting young leaders. Samora graduated with a BSc in Human Life Sciences and a PGCE from the University of Stellenbosch. He completed his teaching practice at Paul Roos Gymnasium where his heart for mentoring boys …

Meet Jeremy Gibbon, Programme Director at JGF. With over 20 years of experience, Jeremy has a deep understanding of the South African educational context. He was the Principal of Pinelands High School, a vibrant, diverse, co-educational high school in Cape Town and draws on research knowledge from his Master's Degree in Education at the University …

In this episode, we meet Pietrou Gie. Pietrou is an industrial engineer who has worked to improve processes and systems in a variety of service environments. After several years of business consulting in the corporate sector, ranging from the big 5 banks to government departments, she found her passion in designing processes and systems to deliver …

In this episode of our holiday special, Humans of JG, we meet Kaya Nyati. Kaya is a seasoned and innovative strategic partnership professional with more than 20 years of experience in the developmental sector – specifically in education - media and advertising, sales, stakeholder and client relations. An enterprising professional with a demonstrabl…

In this episode, we are introduced to Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga (Ancha) and Mzwandile Msimanga (Mzwa). Ancha was born and raised in the Kingdom of Eswatini. She is a Rhodes University alumna, an Allan Gray Fellow and Mandela Rhodes Scholar (2017). She is passionate about youth development, specifically personal and leadership development. Mzwa i…

Thuli Nkosi is a digital marketing professional who joined JGF in 2021 as a Digital Marketing Specialist. She obtained a certification in digital marketing from Digify Africa in 2014 and a BA in Communication Science qualification from Unisa in 2019. Her journey to working in education began in 2015 when she worked at African Leadership Academy (AL…

In this episode, we hear from one of our Fellows and NQT, Mphela Kgooho. In this conversation, our host and Mphela unpack the story of how and why she became a teacher and she shares how she has experienced the classroom. Share this episode. Anyone who has ever had a teacher needs to hear this. Connect with us: Website: http://www.jgfellowship.org …

In this episode, we hear from one of our Fellows and NQT, Sphiwe Mnisi. In this conversation, our host and Sphiwe unpack the story of how and why Sphiwe decided to become a teacher. Share this episode. Anyone who has ever had a teacher needs to hear this. Connect with us: Website: http://www.jgfellowship.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakes…

In this episode, we share a clip from the business breakfast in October where Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Chairperson of the JGF Board, shared solutions he thinks should be implemented to aid our ailing education system. He shared stories about the schools he's visited and the experience he's had visiting our NQTs in the classroom. He had this to say, "…

In this episode featured on Valley FM in August in commemoration of Women's Month, our newly qualified teachers (NQTs) were given a platform to share their experiences as NQTs and as women in education. The featured NQTs are Camngca Willie and Jenna Gilmour. In this profound conversation, they delve into their highlights and lowlights of being in t…

Vuyiswa Ncontsa, former CEO of BRIDGE, now at the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) joined us at our business breakfast event held on 20 October 2022. She delivered an address about the importance of collaborations and partnerships and how they have benefited some of the world's leading education systems. A key takeaway from here address…

In this unique edition of JGF Amplified, we have the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship (JGF) in the spotlight. The Fellowship recently hosted an event on 20 October 2022, where we invited thought leaders in the education space and delved into the pressing needs that will change the education system in South Africa for the better. Our CEO, Julian Hewitt start…

In this episode, while still focused on the theme of Leading Today, for Tomorrow, Mathabo Tlali is joined by a guest who is closely linked to the community. We love the work she is involved in with the Drama for Life at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). We’re in conversation with Cherae Halley who, as described on her LinkedIn profile, is…

In this episode, our host Mathabo Tlali is joined by Camagwini Dolweni. Camagwini was a teacher herself and now focuses on her work with Instill Education. The organisation aims to rebuild the foundation of teacher education in Africa. Through their practically immersive graduate learning programme, they will meet the pressing and growing need for …

In the premier episode for Season 2 of JGF Amplified, our host Mathabo Tlali is joined by special guests Tamlyn Govender and Songezo Malangeni of Curro Schools. These exceptional individuals share their experiences as teachers as well as leaders at their schools. They both hold leadership positions at Curro Schools and they share what that looks li…

To supporters, collaborators and funders: You are the hallmarks of our success. There are numerous rewarding opportunities for you to participate in the improvement of South Africa’s education system through a contribution of your choice. To find out more, please engage directly with Jakes Gerwel Fellowship by contacting Kaya Nyati at kayan@jgfello…

The weekend of 15 - 17 July 2022 was a historic gathering and one we will be celebrating for many years to come. Joining us on this episode is the JGF community in our first-ever live podcast where our host Mathabo Tlali was joined by Bernard van der Berg, Boitumelo Diale and Carla Watson - engaging in conversation about the legacy of Professor Jak…

In this episode, we are joined by Educational Strategist, Nangamso ka NomaHlubi. The work she does involves helping to develop and improve learning solutions within a school system in South Africa, primarily in Quintile 1+2 schools. Quintile 1 is the group of schools in each province catering for the poorest 20% of learners. Quintile 2 schools cate…

Do you know what menstrual/period hygiene is? Do you understand the critical issue that is period poverty? Menstrual hygiene is the process where menstruators are able to manage their menses using clean and safe materials in a supportive environment. In commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May, we are honoured to have been in conversation w…

In this episode, Mathabo Tlali is joined by Sekoetlane Phamodi to engage in conversation about the South African classroom as a safe space. They take on the task of defining a "safe space" and how that impacts a learner and the teacher. Sekoetlane also tells us about their role at Accountability Lab South Africa and the exceptional work they do. Su…

Mathabo Tlali and Marj Brown engage in conversation about how genderedness presents itself in a school setting (co-ed schools vs. all-boys schools vs. all-girls schools). They unpack how that translates in a classroom setting, how the teachers are responding to gender and sexuality, and how learners choose to identify. Does gender affect pedagogy? …

Anyone who has ever had a teacher...needs to hear this! We are excited to bring you JGF Amplified, The Podcast - where we will have conversations with some of the most influential people leading change in the education space in South Africa. Subscribe today! The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.…

Ntsako Mhlanga (she/her) speaks freely about mental health and school infrastructure. Different, but so insightful, Ntsako helps understand a gap in the schooling environment. Ntsako Mhlanga speaks in her own capacity.

"An often under-reported area of education" - Ayanda Magida (she/her) grounds the reality of the growing digital divide in South Africa and the missed opportunities for empowerment. Composed and quietly challenging the status quo, Ayanda shares her thoughts and vision for education in South Africa. She speaks in her own capacity.…

Passionately and honestly, Thandokazi Maseti (she/her) talks to Carla Watson about transformation in higher education, with a focus on racialised and gendered experiences. She speaks in her own capacity.

Siseko H Kumalo brings a fresh passion to understanding the higher education landscape, as relevant in South Africa. Upbeat and relatable, Kumalo shares how to easily understand the importance of decolonisation and innovation. Siseko H Kumalo speaks in his own capacity.