Tshaamano Mabuba, founder of education technology company Buddy Learning, has been named the winner of the 2026 edition of Jacaranda FM’s Her Perfect Pitch, taking home a prize package aimed at helping her business reach more people and accelerate its growth.
Mabuba emerged as the winner from hundreds of women entrepreneurs who entered the annual campaign, which focuses on supporting women-led businesses and giving entrepreneurs access to resources, exposure and business development opportunities.
Her winning pitch centred on a problem familiar to many South African families – access to quality academic support can be expensive, while technology itself can sometimes become another barrier for learners.
Buddy Learning was created to address that gap by combining human tutoring with artificial intelligence through a platform designed to be accessible using technology many learners and families already have.
How Buddy Learning works
Buddy Learning operates through a hybrid education model that combines traditional tutoring with BuddyAI, a multilingual, curriculum-aligned AI tutor available through WhatsApp.
The idea is to give learners personalised academic assistance without requiring them to purchase expensive devices or learn how to navigate unfamiliar technology.
The platform offers tutoring and subscription services directly to consumers, while Buddy Learning also works with schools, non-governmental organisations, corporates and other education partners.
Its longer-term ambition is to expand access to academic support beyond individual learners and contribute to wider education access in South Africa and across the continent.
Mabuba’s pitch particularly stood out for bringing together technology and accessibility while addressing the practical challenges faced by learners who require additional academic support.
A major advertising boost
As the 2026 winner, Mabuba will receive R500,000 worth of advertising on Jacaranda FM.
The prize includes the conceptualisation, professional production and creation of a dedicated radio advertisement, together with digital amplification across Jacaranda FM’s platforms.
She will also receive R20,000 in cash from First For Women and R5,000 from SPAR.
The package goes beyond advertising. Through The Platinum Club, Mabuba will receive tailored business support covering a custom business model, research consultation, branding consultation, as well as digital strategy and public relations consultation.
For an emerging education technology company, the combination of media exposure, cash support and professional business guidance could provide an opportunity to introduce Buddy Learning to a much larger audience.
Jacaranda FM backs women entrepreneurs
Jacaranda FM Managing Director Vuyani Dombo said Her Perfect Pitch was created to give women entrepreneurs meaningful opportunities to grow their businesses.
“Her Perfect Pitch is one of the initiatives we are incredibly proud of because it gives us the opportunity to shine a light on the incredible women building businesses and solving real problems in our communities,” Dombo said.
He said the finalists demonstrated the qualities required to turn business ideas into sustainable ventures.
“This year’s finalists demonstrated not only remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, but also the resilience, creativity and determination it takes to turn an idea into a sustainable business,” he said.
Dombo described Mabuba and Buddy Learning as an example of the type of business the campaign wants to support.
“Tshaamano and Buddy Learning are a fantastic example of this, and we’re excited to use the power of the Jacaranda FM platform to help take her business to an even bigger audience,” he said.
The women who followed closely behind
Thandeka Ngcongo, founder of Orchid Medical, was named first runner-up, while Zulfa Nkosi, founder of Zulfa’s Glamour Girls Swimming Academy, finished as the second runner-up.
Ngcongo’s Orchid Medical focuses on preventative healthcare, bringing screening, early diagnosis and wellness services closer to communities.
The company combines mobile healthcare units, including mammography and cancer screening clinics, with telehealth services and corporate wellness programmes.
As first runner-up, Ngcongo receives R100,000 in Jacaranda FM advertising, R15,000 from First For Women and R5,000 from SPAR.
Nkosi’s business tackles a different community challenge – access to swimming education and water-safety training in township communities.
From a family home to a swimming academy
Based in Ivory Park and Tembisa, Zulfa’s Glamour Girls Swimming Academy transformed a family home into a swimming facility with an indoor pool where children can receive lessons in small groups from qualified instructors.
The academy’s work extends beyond teaching children how to swim. It also focuses on water safety, confidence-building and employment creation.
For some learners, the academy provides a pathway towards developing their swimming abilities to a competitive level, while also addressing the lack of accessible swimming facilities in township communities.
Nkosi will receive R100,000 in Jacaranda FM advertising, R10,000 from First For Women and R5,000 from SPAR.
More finalists receive support
The remaining seven entrepreneurs who made up the Top 10 will also benefit from the campaign.
Each will receive R100,000 worth of advertising on Jacaranda FM and R5,000 in cash from SPAR.
The broader prize structure means that the campaign is not limited to recognising one winner. It gives several women-led businesses access to media exposure that can help them build awareness, attract customers and introduce their products and services to new audiences.
For Mabuba, however, the immediate challenge will be turning the visibility that comes with the Her Perfect Pitch win into sustained growth for Buddy Learning – and ultimately reaching more learners who need affordable, accessible academic support.
