SOUTH AFRICA Webinar - Heritage month
Many Languages. One Classroom
Discover how multilingualism can become a strength in every classroom. This Heritage Month roundtable will bring together education voices to explore how teachers can embrace learners’ diverse languages and cultural identities to create more inclusive, connected learning environments. Through shared experiences and practical perspectives, the discussion will consider the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for supporting multilingual learners and celebrating language diversity in education.
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Meet our speakers
Robyn Tyler
Senior Researcher in the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research, University of the Western Cape
Dr Robyn Tyler is a senior researcher in the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR) at the University of the Western Cape. Her research and teaching focus on multilingual learning, translanguaging, school language policy, biliteracy and bilingual learning materials. She has a particular interest in the uptake of Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) in South African primary schools. Robyn is also a founding member of the Bua-Lit Language and Literacy Collective, which advocates for multilingual education and rich literacies for South Africa’s children.
Thandeka Thusi
Educator & Founder
Kasi Fundi
Kasi Fundi
Thandeka Thusi is a passionate educator from Orlando East, Soweto, with over 10 years of teaching experience. She has taught English on Geleza Nathi (SABC1) and currently teaches at St David’s Marist Inanda. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, where her research explored translanguaging and the benefits of incorporating learners’ home languages into teaching and learning. Thandeka is also the founder of Kasi Fundi, an educational hub providing extra lessons and career guidance to the community.
Zilungile Njaza
Content Writer & Editor (IsiXhosa)
Twinkl
Zilungile Njaza is an academic content development specialist with over eight years’ experience across education, higher education, EdTech and corporate learning. Her expertise spans content writing, curriculum and instructional design, including developing CAPS-aligned isiXhosa literacy resources. As a Twinkl content writer and advocate for accessible education, Zilungile is passionate about multilingual learning and culturally responsive resources. She believes mother-tongue and multilingual instruction can strengthen conceptual understanding, identity and cultural pride, helping to remove learning barriers and enable every learner to thrive.
Leona Claasen
PhD Candidate in Language Education at the University of the Western Cape and Linguistics at Ghent University
Leona Claasen is a PhD Candidate in Language Education, jointly registered at the University of the Western Cape and Ghent University. Her research focuses on critical translanguaging, multilingual learning, and the development and implementation of bilingual learning materials. Through her research, Leona explores how multilingual approaches can support more inclusive and effective teaching and learning.
Joanna Marriott
Chief Engagement Strategist
Ubuntu Education
Ubuntu Education
Joanna Marriott has over 20 years’ experience in education, including 11 years teaching in Malawi, where she supported multilingual learners through culturally relevant learning. She is Chief Engagement Strategist at Ubuntu Education, leading community strategy and partnerships for the Ubuntu Hub, a professional learning community of over 23,000 educators across 30+ African countries. She also leads TeacherVoice, amplifying educators’ perspectives to inform education policy and practice.
