BY TASEKHAYA DLAMINI
This week we spoke to Nomfundo who shares how she transitioned from teaching in rural classrooms to founding Umliba Loyembili Edupreneurs, a non-profit that uses digital tools to provide accessible, practical education and income opportunities to marginalized youth and women. Her work focuses on empowering learners and educators through technology and mindset shifts to overcome barriers in education and entrepreneurship.
Career Chat: Nomfundo, what sparked your journey from teaching in rural classrooms to founding a non-profit that empowers educators and youth?
Nomfundo: My journey began in rural classrooms, where I witnessed firsthand the inequalities in access to quality education. Learners were eager and capable, but lacked resources, exposure, and basic support systems. As a teacher, I found myself going beyond the curriculum, mentoring, counseling, and introducing basic digital skills where I could. But I soon realized the challenges were bigger than what I could solve in one classroom.
After leaving teaching, I worked with Emalalatini Development Centre, where I gained experience in online curriculum development and worked with out-of-school youth and adults. That’s when it clicked, education needed to be more than just quality. It needed to be accessible, flexible, and affordable.
I also noticed that many Emaswati already had smartphones. That insight was powerful. If people already have the tools, why not use them to deliver education, build skills, and unlock income opportunities?
That’s how Umliba Loyembili Edupreneurs was born, to bridge educational gaps while equipping people with practical, income-generating skills.
Career Chat: How did your experience with the Dream Builder program shape your approach to helping women launch small businesses in Eswatini?
Nomfundo: The Dream Builder program completely shifted my approach. It showed me that most women already have ideas and potential, they just need guidance, structure, and confidence. That realization moved me from simply “teaching business” to facilitating transformation. Now, I focus on practical steps like identifying market needs, improving financial literacy, and using digital platforms for growth. But more importantly, I focus on mindset. When a woman believes in her ability to succeed, she moves differently. She takes action. She builds. It’s no longer just about starting a business; it’s about stepping into independence and ownership.
Career Chat: What innovative, tech-driven teaching methods are you introducing to bridge educational gaps for marginalized youth?
Nomfundo: We focus on simple but impactful digital solutions. This includes mobile-friendly platforms, virtual classrooms, and online resources that allow learners to access education from anywhere. For many, this removes barriers like distance and cost. We also use blended learning, combining in-person support with digital tools, so learners can move at their own pace while still receiving guidance. Digital literacy is at the core of what we do. We equip both learners and educators with the skills to use technology confidently, turning it into a tool for empowerment.
One of our most exciting innovations is Dada Bora AI, an AI-powered digital companion developed with Bora Technologies. It provides girls and women with accessible, trusted, and relevant information to support their daily lives. Our goal is not just to digitize education, but to make it practical, inclusive, and connected to real opportunities.
Career Chat: As an Ambassador for the Africa Educates Her Campaign, what advice would you give young girls who want to return to school post-crisis?
Nomfundo: It is never too late. Your circumstances may interrupt your journey, but they do not define your future. You still have the power to rewrite your story. Explore alternative pathways, online learning, flexible programs, community initiatives. There are options. But most importantly, believe in your worth. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.
Education is not just about certificates, it’s about empowerment, independence, and choice. Your dreams are valid. Go after them.
Career Chat: How do you blend your roles to drive community upliftment?
Nomfundo: Right now, my focus is fully on Umliba Loyembili Edupreneurs. Through this work, I design programs, build partnerships, and create opportunities that directly uplift women and youth. For me, it’s about impact. I invest my energy where it can create real, lasting change in communities.
Career Chat: Which partnership has most inspired your work in digital skills integration for women entrepreneurs?
Nomfundo: Becoming a certified Women in Digital Business (WIDB) trainer through the International Training Centre of the ILO and Microsoft Philanthropies has been a major influence. It equipped me with both the technical knowledge and practical tools to support women in the digital space.
What inspires me most is the transformation I see. Women start with little to no digital skills, but through experiential learning, they grow in confidence and capability. I focus on practical application, using digital tools for marketing, customer engagement, and financial management. When women gain digital skills, they do more than just growing their businesses, they create opportunities for others.
Career Chat: What’s your vision for the future of open and distance learning in Eswatini’s underserved communities?
Nomfundo: I see open and distance learning becoming a mainstream, respected pathway. A future where learners in rural areas can access quality education through their phones or community hubs, supported by trained facilitators and affordable internet.
This model can break barriers of geography, cost, and time. Ultimately, I envision an inclusive system that connects education to real economic opportunities, so learning leads to livelihoods.
Career Chat: How can aspiring educators replicate your model of modern teaching to create income-generating opportunities?
Nomfundo: It starts with a mindset shift. Educators must move from being content deliverers to solution providers. Identify gaps. Create value. There are many opportunities, online tutoring, digital content creation, short courses, and teaching practical skills. Technology is key. So is adaptability. Continuous learning is essential. The more you evolve, the more opportunities you unlock.
Teaching can be more than a profession; it can be a powerful income-generating platform.
Career Chat: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in empowering rural students, and how did you do it?
Nomfundo: Access is a major challenge, but mindset is an even bigger one. Many students struggle to see the value of education because of their circumstances. We address this by building trust within communities and designing programs that are practical and accessible. We use low-cost solutions and provide continuous support. But the biggest shift comes from helping students believe in themselves. Once they have this conviction and belief, everything changes.
Career Chat: If you could mentor one young LiSwati woman starting her career, what’s the one skill you’d urge her to master first?
Nomfundo: Adaptability. The world is constantly changing. The ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn will always keep you relevant. It builds resilience and confidence. It enables you to pivot, grow, and seize opportunities. Pair it with digital skills and initiative, and you become unstoppable. If you can adapt, you can thrive, no matter where you start.
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