Expanding Educational Access Beyond the Classroom with Thuma Mina Teaching

Silke Rothkegel van Velden and Leopold van Velden co-founded Thuma Mina Teaching (TMT) in March 2020 because of a deep commitment to address the systemic underperformance in South Africa’s education system. Their journey began at the intersection of research and the reality on the ground: Silke, a project manager at RESEP (Research on Socio-Economic Policy), brought data-driven insights into the persistent issues facing South African schools, while Leopold contributed firsthand experience from classrooms across the performance spectrum, from severely underresourced schools to elite institutions.

Together, they launched TMT to bridge the gap between research and real-life teaching challenges, aiming to strengthen learning by improving the quality of teaching and broadening learner support, both inside and outside the classroom.

Why Teaching Quality Needs a Systemic Boost

Despite extensive educational reform efforts, South Africa faces a learning crisis. Many classrooms lack consistent, high-quality instruction, especially in low-income communities. Learners often do not receive the foundational knowledge they need to succeed, leading to widespread disengagement, academic failure, and dropout.

At the same time, teachers (many of whom are passionate and willing) lack the structured support, materials, and development opportunities needed to deliver engaging, practical lessons. TMT is changing this reality by reimagining what teacher support looks like, starting with the classroom and extending into communities.

TMT’s Hybrid Approach to Supporting Teachers and Learners

TMT’s innovation lies in its blended support model. The EdTech company ensures that educators and students receive the support they need to thrive by providing in-classroom coaching, curriculum-aligned content, and learner-focused platforms.

Their solution combines instructional coaching with on-demand digital and printed resources, making it easier for educators to teach effectively and for learners to catch up or accelerate their progress, regardless of their school’s infrastructure.

TMT is committed to closing the gap with empathy, evidence, and action, whether it’s a Grade 7 learner struggling to grasp maths concepts or a newly qualified teacher overwhelmed by curriculum demands. By focusing on teaching quality and learner agency, TMT tackles two critical levers of change with an understanding of the systemic barriers that must be overcome.

‍Watch the video below to learn more about Thuma Mina Teaching’s work and impact.

🌐 Click through to view Thuma Mina Teaching’s website.
🔗 Connect with the co-founders on LinkedIn: Silke Rothkegel van Velden and Leopold van Velden.
📱 Follow TMT on social media:
YouTube: Thuma Mina Teaching
Facebook: @ThumaMinaTeaching
Instagram: @ThumaMinaTeaching
LinkedIn: Thuma Mina Teaching 

Thuma Mina Teaching is a 2025 Fellow in the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.‍