Tshaamano Mabuba

What does your company do?

Buddy Learning is a youth-led education platform transforming access to quality learning in South Africa and Botswana. Founded by Tshaamano Mabuba with just R50 and a mission to bridge educational inequality, Buddy Learning connects students with relatable peer tutors and is pioneering BuddyAI—an AI tutor available in all 11 official South African languages via WhatsApp. The platform has empowered over 69 young tutors, delivered more than 800 hours of academic support, and impacted over 300 learners, particularly in under-resourced communities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like Siyavula, Varsity Vibe, and the Eastern Cape Department of Education, Buddy Learning is not only closing learning gaps but also tackling youth unemployment and fostering a culture of empowerment and innovation—making it a true rising star in education.

What is your biggest success?

Buddy Learning has leveraged its profits to drive social impact by addressing educational inequality and empowering communities. The platform organizes stationery drives to provide learning materials for underprivileged learners, ensuring they have the tools needed to succeed academically. It offers free tutoring services to disadvantaged students, increasing access to quality education. Additionally, Buddy Learning combats youth unemployment by employing over 69 young tutors in South Africa and Botswana, offering them income opportunities and skill development. These initiatives, supported by innovative partnerships and a commitment to social responsibility, reflect the platform’s dedication to uplifting underserved communities . Buddy Learning has formed key partnerships with various organizations and institutions to support its mission of enhancing education. These include The Department of Basic Education in EC in South Africa, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, ESquared Investments, Informa Tech, Inside Africa Magazine and Inside Education, and several public schools. Additionally, it has collaborated with the Stacey Fru Foundation and the Disiah Foundation to further its social impact initiatives and empower underserved communities .

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Buddy Learning’s biggest hurdle right now is scaling sustainably while maintaining quality and affordability. As the demand for tutoring and BuddyAI grows—especially in underserved communities—the challenge lies in building robust tech infrastructure, expanding multilingual AI content, and training enough qualified tutors without compromising on personalized support. Additionally, since many of the learners come from low-income backgrounds, balancing social impact with financial sustainability requires innovative funding models and consistent support from partners and investors.