Buddy Learning
What does your company do?
Buddy Learning is a youth-driven educational platform that connects students with relatable, high-quality peer tutors. Our mission is to make academic support accessible, affordable, and empowering by using the power of peer-to-peer learning. Through one-on-one and group tutoring, Buddy Learning helps students build confidence, improve their results, and unlock their full potential, while creating income and leadership opportunities for young people across Africa.
What is your biggest success?
One of my proudest achievements with Buddy Learning was turning a simple R50 into a thriving education business that has generated hundreds of thousands of rands. I started Buddy Learning with just R50 — enough to buy basic data and design simple marketing materials. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions or large funding, I used what I had to start connecting young tutors with students who needed affordable academic support. Over time, Buddy Learning grew organically through word of mouth, strong partnerships, and consistent results. Today, Buddy Learning operates across South Africa and Botswana, employing over 69 young people and impacting hundreds of students through over 800 hours of tutoring. We have secured brand partnerships with Siyavula, Varsity Vibe, and the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape, and even pitched on the Africa Tech Festival stage. That initial R50 taught me that resourcefulness and determination can change lives.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
My biggest hurdle has been facing serious health challenges after being diagnosed with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy), which caused seizures and forced me to take a break from my Actuarial Science studies. At the same time, I had to navigate the trauma of sexual assault, which made the journey even harder emotionally and mentally. Overcoming these challenges took time, resilience, and a strong support system. I focused on healing — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — while staying connected to my passion for education by teaching Maths at Jeppe High School for Girls. This period of reflection and growth helped me rebuild my confidence and redirect my path toward medicine, where I can use my experiences to make a difference. By refusing to give up, I turned my pain into purpose, and today I am stronger, more focused, and more committed than ever to achieving my goals.
