Having recognised the unique challenges dyslexic learners face, Nomfundo Brukwe has made it her mission to equip teachers with the right tools and strategies to support and include them in the classroom, because no child should be left behind and everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
Pretoria, South Africa (09 September 2025) – Living true to her name, Nomfundo (mother of education), Nomfundo Brukwe is a teacher who is paving the way for a more inclusive educational system, particularly for dyslexic learners.
With a background and master’s degree in early childhood development, Nomfundo recognised the significance of adopting inclusive teaching methods in the classroom, sparking a research interest that focused on supporting learners with dyslexia.
By using a special programme known as RAVE-O, the University of Pretoria graduate has been able to train educators with evidence-based tools to support dyslexic learners in mainstream classrooms.
RAVE-O (Retrieval, Automaticity, Vocabulary, Engagement with Orthography), is designed to improve reading, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary for dyslexic learners. It utilises structured, multisensory activities that integrate phonics, sight words, and comprehensive strategies.
In South African classrooms, RAVE-O can be implemented through small-group interventions alongside regular classroom instruction, with teachers adapting the programme in the curriculum to meet the needs of learners.
“My goal is to generate evidence-based strategies that can be adopted nationally to improve reading fluency and comprehension among Grade 4 learners,” she explains.
Nomfundo’s contributions and passion for inclusive education haven’t just inspired teachers to enhance children’s learning experience but also earned her recognition as one of the Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2022.
Recently, she has been using her TikTok to empower teachers to share insights and creative strategies to support student success.
“Social media has immense potential to improve education by making learning interactive, captivating and accessible,” she says.
Every child deserves a fair chance to discover, learn and thrive. Seeing her learners grow and gain confidence in their abilities continues to fuel Nomfundo’s passion as she now looks forward to implementing her findings in her doctoral studies.
Sources: University of Pretoria
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