In an effort to give back to his community and inspire young people, Mesuli Mbelu from Extension 4 in Mfuleni is doing what he loves by helping learners in the area with their studies.
Mbelu started Mathpro Tutoring Academy in 2021 after he was unable to register for a nursing course at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Bellville Campus.
The story behind Mathpro Tutoring Academy
He said he developed a love for tutoring while he was still in high school.
“My life had ups and downs. I was doing Grade 11 at Manzomthombo High School in Mfuleni in 2011, but I dropped out because I started using drugs. My parents sent me to Ngqamakhwe in the Eastern Cape. I stayed there fighting to overcome addiction, which I finally conquered in 2018. The following year, I went back to school and repeated Grade 11 at Siyabulela High School in my hometown,” he explained, adding that he completed matric in 2020.
Turning personal challenge into community service
Mbelu said all he wanted was to regain the love and trust he had lost from his parents during what he described as his troubled years. He said he was never ashamed of his age.
“While I was doing Grade 12, our mathematics teacher left in February and for the whole year we had no teacher. We attended classes conducted by Jenn Training and Consultancy, which worked with the Eastern Cape Department of Education to tutor us in mathematics, physical science and accounting. We attended classes every weekend,” he said.
Explaining more about Jenn, Mbelu said it had a programme called the Jenn Extended Hour Programme (EHP), which focuses on schools with high enrolment and low performance in mathematics, physical science and accounting — critical focus subjects.
ALSO READ: Lecturer works her way to the top
Because he was the oldest learner in the class at times, he would tutor other learners whenever there was no teacher available.
“That is when this whole tutoring journey started. When I completed matric, I came to Cape Town in 2021 to study. I had already been accepted at CPUT for nursing, but I did not know that I also had to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). I had to deregister and since then I have never applied again. But, I already applied for next year. I want to study teaching because I developed a love for it since starting this initiative,” explained Mbelu.
The 29-year-old tutors learners in Grades 7, 10 12 and learners who are upgrading their subjects. He said he teaches different subjects depending on the learners’ needs.
Subjects offered by Mesuli Mbelu tutoring academy
For Grade 7 learners, he assists with mathematics, English and isiXhosa. For Grade 10 learners, he tutors physical science, natural science and mathematics. Grade 12 learners and those who are upgrading receive support in mathematical literacy, mathematics, life sciences and physical science.
“In total, there are 23 learners and all of them are from Mfuleni. I have different groups of learners. There are eight learners currently in matric, 10 who are upgrading their subjects, three in Grade 7 and two in Grade 10,” he said, adding that they often meet at a local church.
Mbelu said he offers classes both in the morning and after school. Learners upgrading their subjects usually attend classes from 10:00 to 12:00 during the week, while after school sessions run from 17:00 to 19:00.
“The days keep changing depending on which learners are busy. For example, I am focusing more on matric learners now because they are writing June examinations. With some learners, I do house visits, especially when parents ask me to provide extra classes for their children. Sometimes we all meet there at once,” he explained.
He said the classes are free of charge.
Learners and parents praise the initiative
One of the learners upgrading her subjects, Aphiwe Hentile, praised Mbelu, saying he had helped them a lot. She described him as a dedicated tutor.
“He explains thoroughly. He is very patient and good at what he does. He also motivates us not to give up,” said Hentile.
Parent Nosakhe Kweba said her child had improved significantly since attending the classes.
“My child is in Grade 7. He was struggling to read isiXhosa, but now I can see he is doing better. Sometimes I ask Mbelu to give him extra classes. I can see the difference,” said Kweba.
