Educator · Author · Community Builder

Wits Cum Laude graduate, NTA-nominated teacher, published author, and founder of Tamanna4Change. From Alexandra Township to national recognition.

Initiatives & Community Work

Mr Mokebe's commitment to development extends far beyond lesson plans — from building competitive maths culture in schools to organising community support in Alexandra.

01

Tamanna4Change

Co-founded in 2015, Tamanna4Change began by offering free lessons to high school learners across almost all FET subjects in Alexandra Township. By 2017 it had focused its energy on Mathematics, Physical Science, and Accounting — led by top academic achievers from various Alex schools, giving township learners access to exceptional, free tuition.

Community · Founded 2015
02

Math Olympiad Programme

As Olympiad Coordinator at Hyde Park High School, Mr Mokebe built a culture of mathematical excellence — training learners for competitive problem-solving and enriching the standard curriculum with deeper inquiry.

Hyde Park High School
03

Grantley Math Bee

At Grantley High School, Mr Mokebe designed and launched an inaugural school-wide Math Bee competition — an inclusive, exciting challenge format that builds confidence and mathematical culture across all learner profiles.

Grantley High · 2026
04

Alexandra Clothing Drive

Recognising that learning happens in the whole life of a child, Mr Mokebe organises clothing donation initiatives for families in Alexandra — addressing material needs that directly affect learners' ability to focus on school.

Alexandra Township

TV & Radio Proposals

Beyond the classroom — two original media concepts developed by Siyabulela to use television and radio as tools for educational activism and social change in South Africa.

📺 Television · Concept Proposal

Buka Pele!

A 13-part doccie reality TV show helping school dropouts return to education

Buka Pele (meaning "Read First") is a 30-minute, 13-episode entertainment-education reality TV concept targeting South African youth aged 15–24 who were forced out of school by circumstances — child-headed families, teenage pregnancy, or financial exclusion. Each episode follows a real person's journey back into education, from their letter to the show through to the outcome.

Format 13-part doccie reality TV · 30 minutes per episode
Genre Entertainment-Education
Target Youth aged 15–24 · Child-headed families · Teenage parents · Street dwellers seeking education
Originator Siyabulela Mokebe — personal experience in a child-headed family and as a teenage dad

Series Objectives

Educate youth about the importance of education for individuals and society
Make education and reading fashionable within township culture
Start conversations about supporting child-headed families and teenage parents
Expose loopholes in the education system that drive school dropouts
Use TV as a tool of activism against injustice in a knowledge-driven economy

📻 Radio · Alex FM Proposal · 2017

Ubuhle be Mfundo

"The Beauty of Education" — a 30-minute show proposed for Alex FM

Proposed to Alex FM in August 2017 — two years after Tamanna4Change was founded — Ubuhle be Mfundo is a youth-led radio show designed to change role models in the township, give learners a platform to discuss education challenges, and connect youth with bursaries, learnerships, and opportunities. Co-proposed with Tamanna4Change colleagues.

Format 30-minute weekly show · Mon / Wed / Fri at 18h00
Station Alex FM — Alexandra Township, Johannesburg
Target Township youth, learners, parents, and community members
Hosts Siyabulela Mokebe, Ntando Ndlovu & Michael Mabhanka — all Tamanna4Change founders

Show Objectives

Bring role models who succeeded despite harsh township circumstances to inspire learners
Give learners a voice to discuss issues driving school dropouts
Connect youth with bursaries, learnerships, and apprenticeships from companies
Create a paradigm shift — making education relevant and desirable in township life
Involve the community in children's learning journeys to increase accountability

🎙️ Podcast · Original Concept

Lemons & Lemonades

A monthly podcast on shaping society by normalising the pursuit of success

Lemons & Lemonades is Siyabulela's original podcast concept built around a simple truth: too many people face the same adversities because those who survived them don't share the lessons. The show takes life's "lemons" — challenges, pitfalls, ignorance, limited exposure — and explores how they can be morphed into "lemonades." Each episode covers three segments: introduction, the lemons, and the lemonade.

Format Monthly · Every Tuesday · Audio & Video
Topics Education, personal development, fashion, music, and positive societal influence
Target Youth aged 16–35, especially those in remote and underserved communities
Hosts Siyabulela Mokebe (Teacher & Activist) · Michael Mabhanka (Mapula hitmaker) · Nomsa Motha (Miss Gauteng Exclusive 1st Princess)

Podcast Objectives

Share tips and lessons that help people succeed — breaking cycles of adversity through open conversation
Inculcate positive values and encourage youth to normalise striving for excellence
Cover education broadly — not just schooling, but any learning that shapes thought and behaviour
Reach remote areas — success is measured by hearing from listeners in villages across South Africa

Interested in collaborating on any of these projects — as a broadcaster, sponsor, or partner? Get in touch via the contact form and let's talk.

Appearances & Coverage

SABC

TV Interview: Tamanna for Change Autobiography

Siyabulela appeared on SABC for a television interview about his autobiography, Tamanna for Change — sharing his story of loss, resilience, and the power of education with a national audience.

Visit SABC →

eNCA · January 2024

Reaction to the BELA Bill

As a Maths and Science teacher at Hyde Park High School, Siyabulela gave his expert perspective on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill and its implications for South African learners.

Watch on eNCA →

eNCA · October 2024

Book Review: Theories of Learning

Joined eNCA's Sindi Mabe for an in-depth discussion on theories of learning — bridging academic research and classroom practice in a way that's reshaping how educators think.

Read on eNCA →

Alex News · October 2025

NTA Nomination: "A Teacher Who Shapes Lives In & Outside the Classroom"

Hyde Park High learners nominated Mr Mokebe for the National Teacher Awards Minister's Special Award. Learners described how he changed their relationship with Mathematics and with themselves — calling out marks to motivate, not shame.

Read the Article →

Alex News · January 2024

Mokebe Siblings Overcome the Odds

A profile on the remarkable journey of the Mokebe siblings — from orphanhood in Alexandra to professional success. A story of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the power of choosing education.

Read Story →

YouTube

Official YouTube Channel

Subscribe for video lessons in Maths and Physical Science, education commentary, and insights into teaching, learning, and community development across South Africa.

Visit @SiyabulelaMokebe →

Certificates & Credentials

A commitment to lifelong learning — spanning EdTech, artificial intelligence, leadership, data science, digital marketing, and beyond.

Teaching & Education

Maths Olympiad Master-Class

Udemy — Instructor: Ashish Kashyap

Teaching & Education

Microsoft Educator Academy

Microsoft Elevate · SACE · Zibuza Professional Learning Community

Teaching & Education

Reading Coach

Microsoft Elevate · Zibuza Professional Learning Community

Teaching & Education

Canva Teacher Essentials

Canva · Gauteng Province Education · SACE · Zibuza

Outstanding Achievement

Outstanding Achievement — 2013 Matric Exam

Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust — "Each One Teach One"

Honour Society

Golden Key International Honour Society

University of the Witwatersrand

Teaching & Education

Teaching Electricity & Magnetism with PhET Simulations

Coursera — University of Colorado Boulder

Teaching & Education

Integrating Virtual Labs in STEAM Teaching — Certificate of Completion

Commonwealth of Learning · AFTRA · SACE

Teaching & Education

Integrating Virtual Labs in STEAM Teaching — Certificate of Participation

Commonwealth of Learning · AFTRA · SACE

Teaching & Education

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) — 120 Hours

TEFL Professional Institute — Teacher Record

Technology

AI Skills Badge 2025–26

Microsoft Elevate

Technology

Python Essentials 2

Cisco Networking Academy · OpenEDG Python Institute

Technology

Python Essentials 1

Cisco Networking Academy · OpenEDG Python Institute

Technology

Introduction to Data Science

Cisco Networking Academy

Leadership

Diploma in Leadership and Management Styles

Alison — CPD Certified

Leadership

Mastering Supervision: Skills and Strategies for Effective Leadership

Alison — CPD Certified

Government & Civic

Know and Live Our Constitution — 2025/26

National School of Government · Republic of South Africa

Government & Civic

Introduction to Policy Formulation and Implementation — 2025/26

National School of Government · Republic of South Africa

University of Johannesburg

Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR

University of Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals

University of Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

African Insights

University of Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

Financial Literacy — Be Money Wise

University of Johannesburg

Finance

Finance for Non-Finance Professionals

Coursera — Rice University · Jones Graduate School of Business

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing — Introduction Course

EduCourse Online Learning