Biography of Mr. Leopold van Velden
About Mr. Leopold van Velden:
Leopold is a former teacher with first-hand experience in both under-resourced schools and high-income, well-resourced institutions. He began his teaching career in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats — a high-stress, high-violence environment — and later taught in Barrydale, a small rural town. These early experiences gave him a deep appreciation of the daily challenges faced by learners and teachers in different parts of South Africa.
After also working in a prestigious school in Stellenbosch, Leopold became increasingly aware of the deep inequalities that shape educational outcomes in the country. This contrast inspired him to start Thuma Mina Teaching (TMT) — a non-profit organization that creates high-quality video lessons aligned to the national curriculum. The aim is to support teachers and learners across the country, especially those who have limited access to quality resources.
Since its founding in 2020, TMT’s video lessons have been viewed over six million times, and the organization has trained hundreds of teachers in basic EdTech methods. Leopold leads the organization with a strong belief that meaningful change in education must be practical, collaborative, and accessible to all. He lives in Wellington with his wife and children.
