Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

06 February 2024

3 minute read

With the school year in full swing, education consultant and founder of Education Emporium, Norleen Zulu, has been making her mark on communities across South Africa. By addressing the needs of children and championing the fight for equal education, Norleen has made a remarkable impact on various communities. Last month, she spearheaded an initiative to provide stationery packs to schoolchildren from disadvantaged backgrounds, and beyond this, she is key in the fight for equal education in the country.

Norleen says that her passion for giving back to the community stems from wanting to create a “brighter future for all children”. Most families in South Africa live under “dire economic constraints,” and Norleen feels that it is our responsibility to “be our brother’s keeper” and break the cycle of poverty by providing “equal opportunities for everyone.” From educating parents to assisting schools in need, Norleen advocates for children reaching their full potential.

With schools facing major challenges like inadequate structures, insufficient resources, and the current economic crunch making it difficult to provide equal access to education, education remains a struggle. In certain schools, even the most basic resources are absent.

Providing meals at school is another crucial part of ensuring equal education. Nutrition is essential for a child’s learning experience, because a “hungry child can’t focus,” says Norleen. Hunger impacts a child’s education by reducing their thinking capabilities and attention span and affecting their cognitive functions and memory, leading to low academic outcomes.

Norleen’s hopes for the future of education in South Africa is that every child, no matter their socio-economic backgrounds and constraints, have access to quality education to “unlock their full potential.” Organizations like Education Emporium can contribute to making a change and bridging the gap between privileged and disadvantaged education by providing resources and affording opportunities to “level the playing field” and create a “more equitable education system” to benefit everyone.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat.