Reclaiming the Classroom: A Focus on Teacher Empowerment
The 5th annual South African EdTech Week, hosted by Injini in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, will take place October 12-13 at Focus Rooms in Sandton, Johannesburg. This year’s event marks a significant shift as it moves to Gauteng for the first time and adopts a new theme: “Reclaiming the Classroom: EdTech as a Tool for Teacher Empowerment.”
Beyond Devices: Addressing Implementation Gaps
Organizers emphasize that this edition will move beyond familiar discussions about technology access, focusing instead on how digital tools can truly integrate into daily teaching practices. While devices and connectivity have improved in African schools, research shows they often remain underutilized or implemented as administrative add-ons rather than pedagogical solutions.
“It’s not because teachers don’t want to learn,” explains Nonku Nyathi, partnerships and ecosystem head at Injini. “Few people have demonstrated how these tools can actually make teaching easier or save time.”
Startup Showcase & Practical Solutions
A highlight of the event will be a showcase of 10 startups from the fourth cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. These ventures are developing practical solutions that address real classroom challenges:
- AI-powered tools that reduce teacher marking time by up to 80%
- Offline coding games for engaging learning experiences
- Assistive platforms supporting learners with special educational needs
These startups represent a new generation of edtech focused on accessibility, inclusion, and tangible benefits for educators.
Transforming Learning Through Teacher Agency
Wariko Waita, director of the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Mastercard Foundation, notes: “Technology can only transform learning when it’s designed with educators in mind, strengthens their agency, and responds to classroom realities.”
The South African EdTech Week aims to facilitate this transformation by connecting innovators, educators, policymakers, and investors—creating a collaborative ecosystem where practical solutions can emerge and scale across the region.