WeeklySA_AdminSUPPORT: Buddy Learning founder Tshaamano Mabuba has taken top honours in Her Perfect Pitch Season 5 for an online tutoring model designed to make education safer, more accessible and linguistically inclusive…
By WSAM Reporter
South African entrepreneur Tshaamano Mabuba has been crowned the winner of Her Perfect Pitch Season 5 for developing an online tutoring platform that provides children with academic support in the language they understand best.
Mabuba, the founder of Buddy Learning, took first place in the national women’s entrepreneurship initiative organised by Jacaranda FM and supported by SPAR and 1st for Women. Her business was inspired by the educational difficulties she witnessed while growing up in a village, where many children had limited access to additional learning support—particularly in their mother tongue.
Buddy Learning seeks to close this gap by connecting learners with tutors who can assist them in the language in which they feel most comfortable and confident.
The online platform also addresses safety concerns by allowing children to receive tutoring remotely. This reduces the need for learners and tutors to travel to and from face-to-face lessons while extending educational support beyond their immediate communities.
Mabuba’s venture impressed the judging panel with its response to some of South Africa’s most persistent challenges, including educational inequality, language barriers and the safety risks confronting women and children.
Thandeka Ngcongo, founder of Orchid Medical, secured second place, although she was unable to attend the awards ceremony. Zulfa Nkosi of Zulfa’s Glamour Girls finished third.
Her Perfect Pitch provides women entrepreneurs from across South Africa with an opportunity to refine their business ideas, present them to an experienced judging panel and gain access to mentorship, exposure and support.
Mpudi Maubane, SPAR Group PR, Communications and Sponsorships representative, said the conclusion of the fifth season came at a particularly significant time, as the country continued to confront gender-based violence and the struggle for women’s safety. “There is a heaviness in South Africa at the moment as we are once again confronted by the devastating reality of gender-based violence and the ongoing fight for women to feel safe in our country,” Maubane said.
“At the same time, it is important that we continue to create spaces that recognise women for their ideas, ambition, resilience and contribution to our economy and communities.”
She said Mabuba’s story was especially powerful because she had transformed a challenge she experienced personally into a practical solution addressing education, accessibility and safety.
“Her Perfect Pitch gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges women face while also celebrating women who are building businesses, creating opportunities and changing lives,” Maubane said.
SPAR said its backing of the programme formed part of a broader commitment to supporting women as entrepreneurs, employers, community leaders and contributors to the economy.
Maubane said providing women with platforms, networks and meaningful business support could generate benefits extending far beyond the individual entrepreneur. “When women entrepreneurs are given access to platforms, networks and support, the impact extends beyond one individual or one business,” she said. “It reaches families, employees and communities.”
SPAR congratulated Mabuba, Ngcongo and Nkosi, along with all the Season 5 finalists, for their contribution to South Africa’s growing entrepreneurial landscape.
