South African entrepreneur Tshaamano Mabuba, founder of Buddy Learning, has been officially crowned the winner of Her Perfect Pitch Season 5.
The Jacaranda FM initiative—supported by SPAR and 1st for Women—provides a dedicated platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their enterprises, access crucial business networks, and unlock strategic growth opportunities.
Mabuba secured top honors for Buddy Learning, an innovative online tutoring platform inspired by the educational gaps she witnessed growing up in a rural village, where many children lacked access to learning support in their mother tongue.
Mother-Tongue Learning Meets Safety-Conscious Tech
Buddy Learning’s primary mission is to make quality academic tutoring accessible by enabling children to receive support in the language in which they are most comfortable and confident.
Furthermore, the remote learning model directly addresses another critical South African concern: safety. By allowing students to access tutoring online from home, Buddy Learning reduces the need for children and educators to commute for in-person lessons, simultaneously extending educational support beyond geographical limits.
The Season 5 podium was rounded out by:
- 2nd Place: Thandeka Ngcongo, founder of Orchid Medical (who was unable to accept her award in person).
- 3rd Place: Zulfa Nkosi, founder of Zulfa’s Glamour Girls.
Recognizing Resilience and Economic Impact
For SPAR, the culmination of Season 5 comes at a pivotal time for women across South Africa.
“There is a heaviness in South Africa at the moment as we are once again confronted by the devastating reality of gender-based violence and the ongoing fight for women to feel safe in our country,” says Mpudi Maubane, SPAR Group PR, Communications & Sponsorships. “At the same time, it is important that we continue to create spaces that recognise women for their ideas, ambition, resilience and contribution to our economy and communities.”
“Tshaamano’s story is particularly meaningful because her business was born from a challenge she witnessed first-hand,” Maubane added. “She has taken that experience and turned it into a solution that addresses education and accessibility while also considering the realities of safety in South Africa. When women entrepreneurs are given access to platforms, networks and support, the impact extends beyond one individual or one business. It reaches families, employees and communities.”
Season 5 Overview & Partnerships
Her Perfect Pitch brought together women-led businesses from across South Africa, offering participants mentorship, pitch refinement, judging feedback, and high-visibility radio and digital exposure.
SPAR’s ongoing sponsorship forms part of its broader corporate mandate to empower women across the country as business owners, employers, and community leaders.