Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development

The energy in Chris Hani West this week has been incredible!

On the 25 and 26 August, we met up with Grade R and Grade 1 teachers for two full days focused on early grade maths. Early numeracy is where everything starts, but teaching it well takes real, practical tools that actually work in our local classrooms.

We spent the two days digging into simple, effective strategies and hands-on learning materials that help young children make sense of numbers. From our initial pre-test right through to the post-test after two days of interactive sessions, the commitment from these educators was inspiring.

Enkosi kakhulu to all the Chris Hani West teachers who joined us, your dedication to your learners shows up every single day!

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞!

This week, our teams are in the Joe Gqabi District spending time in Sterkspruit and Maletswai (Aliwal North) with our incredible Grade R and Grade 1 teachers because building a strong foundation in early grade maths takes real support, practical tools, and collaboration. During this period, we are rolling up our sleeves together to tackle classroom strategies that actually work on the ground.

Here is what we’re getting up to in our workshops:

Hands-on Learning: Trying out practical learning materials that make abstract numbers make sense to young kids.

Classroom Approaches: Sharing effective ways to spark curiosity and improve maths outcomes in the early years.

Measuring Growth: Starting with a pre-test, diving into interactive activities and presentations, and wrapping up with a post-test to track our progress.

When we equip foundation phase teachers with the right resources, our learners thrive. A huge thank you to all the educators in Joe Gqabi for your dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work in the classroom every day!

Today, the Nelson Mandela Institute team is gathered for the induction and training of new and returning coaches supporting the Early Mathematics Improvement Programme in Chris Hani West District.

The training focuses on the effective use of the Classroom Observation Template, which will guide coaches in observing Foundation Phase Mathematics lessons, identifying areas of strength and development, and providing purposeful, evidence-based support to teachers.

This engagement forms part of our preparation for the upcoming classroom observation baseline across participating schools in the Chris Hani West cohort. We look forward to working closely with teachers, school leadership and district colleagues as we continue strengthening classroom practice and early mathematics learning.

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐪𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐌𝐩𝐨𝐟𝐮

We’ll be gathering to honour the incredible life of Nqaba Mpofu, a passionate activist, leader and colleague who poured his heart into the work of the Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development. Through his dedication, Nqaba worked closely with schools through the Institute’s programmes, supporting teachers and helping strengthen classroom practice in rural communities across the Eastern Cape. His commitment and warmth touched the lives of many.

Join us on Saturday, 8 November 2025 at 12h00, at the Nelson Mandela Institute, 6 Hill Street, East London C*D, or online, as we share stories, memories and reflections on his lasting impact.

Join Online via Microsoft Teams:

Meeting ID: 311 572 140 735
Passcode: 6Ey6go9M

We will also collecting photos, voice notes and written messages to create a special tribute book for his 10-year-old son, Nhloso, filled with memories, love and words of encouragement from those who knew and cherished his dad.

To RSVP, please email: [email protected] | Cell: 073 156 1220

Let’s come together to celebrate Nqaba’s life, his work and the powerful legacy he leaves behind.

Its after lunch, the literacy team is diving back in, grading with purpose and exploring writing choices with writing books, while another group is reading at the right level. The energy’s still high and the learning continues!

Ntombi and Zinyaswa are focusing on structured pedagogy for Grades 2 and 3. They are highlighting the importance of covering all the key components and how an effective structured literacy block boosts learners’ reading and writing skills. Teachers are fully engaged seeing the “why” behind each step really brings the strategies to life!

In the Grade R & 1 maths breakaway, Nobuntu and Qhama are leading teachers through a refresher on lesson strategies — revisiting sequences, scope, and how to build strong maths foundations early on.

Morning momentum continues!

Teachers watching a pre-recorded address by Kim, our Director, on systematising classroom management and pedagogy, then reflecting on how these ideas connect to their own classrooms.

𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟐 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐌𝐂𝐂) 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲!𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫

We kicked things off yesterday with a short welcome and meet-and-greet session to introduce our new teachers and set the tone for the days ahead. During the session, teams reflected on the purpose of the bootcamp, shared goals, and explored what oaching in 2026 could look like from EGMA and CCEM practices to term-based training and district-wide interventions.

Today, we’re diving straight into action with a literacy and maths pre-test, helping us gauge where we’re starting before four days of shared learning, collaboration, and growth. Teachers will write the same test again at the end of the Bootcamp to celebrate their progress and learning journey.

The energy is high, the ideas are flowing and we’re just getting started!

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 — 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐: 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

It’s been an engaging and insightful Day 2 at the NMI Spring School 2025 in East London! We’re thrilled to have the remarkable graduates of the 2021 UFH bilingual B.Ed programme back with us, now several years into their teaching journeys, for a vibrant continuation of last year’s Winter School.

With rich classroom experience and renewed curiosity, these pioneering teachers have spent the day moving from reflection to action, exploring Structured Pedagogy, Reflections on Classroom Practice, and Grading with Purpose. Conversations around fairness, impact, and bilingual learning have filled the room with energy, collaboration, and shared purpose.

The Spring School continues, with two more days of learning, sharing, and growth ahead. We’ll keep sharing highlights as the journey unfolds.