2024 has been a landmark year for UJ’s affiliated school, Funda UJabule Primary School, located on the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus. On 14 October, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa, spotlighted the school during his address at UNESCO’s 220th Executive Board session in France. He highlighted UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay’s visit to the school in April earlier this year, where Funda UJabule demonstrated its innovative model for promoting mother-tongue education in Sesotho and IsiZulu.

Impressed by Funda UJabule’s model, Azoulay invited the school to join UNESCO’s Network of Associated Schools, noting its potential to inspire mother-tongue education globally.

Video of Azoulay’s address during her visit to Funda Ujabule in April

Ambassador Mthethwa also expressed South Africa’s eagerness to collaborate with UNESCO further in advancing this initiative.

Funda UJabule serves as a practical training ground for UJ education students, bridging theory and practice. Since its establishment in 2010, it has not only been recognised as a pioneer in teacher training and educational research within South Africa, but also enjoyed international interest over the last few years.

Representing South Africa alongside Ambassador Mthethwa at the Executive Board was former UJ Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ihron Rensburg, Chairperson of the South Africa UNESCO National Commission.