Kelisha Pandaram has a passion for teaching and this shows in the work she does.
Ms Pandaram, a Master of Commerce in marketing candidate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Management, IT and Governance, recently graduated from the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship (JGF) programme. The ceremony took place in Cape Town.
She was also honoured with the JGF Educational Leader Award 2024 in recognition of her impact on education in South Africa by advocating for inclusivity and propelling diversity in the education sector.
The JGF is named in honour of the high-impact legacy of Professor Jakes Gerwel, a teacher and educational leader. The JGF Fellowship programme selects newly qualified educators with gateway, scarce subject, or phase specialisation, and who demonstrate a passion for education and entrepreneurial leadership competencies, said Ms Pandaram.
“This experience has been a transformative milestone in my life, and I am eager to share my journey and story to inspire and empower a wider audience,” she said.
Ms Pandaram holds a Bachelor of Commerce (honours) degree in Marketing Management (summa cum laude) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (cum laude) specialising in Further Education and Training (FET) and Senior Phase.
She is also an external academic at Mancosa. Ms Pandaram is making significant strides in the education sector by also teaching mathematics to FET and senior phase students with learning disabilities. Her dedicated efforts ensure that these students have the resources and support needed to excel academically.
“Being acknowledged by the JGF has been profoundly meaningful to me, and it inspires me to continue driving positive and inclusive change holistically across the education system,” said Ms Pandaram.
The two-year JGF fellowship programme fosters the growth, expertise, and resilience of young educators to retain them within the education system and ensure their ongoing influence in both academia and secondary education. Ms Pandaram has demonstrated this commitment through her active participation in the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and its Endowment Teaching Initiatives.
Ms Pandaram said her aspiration is to use her Master’s degree to create innovative marketing strategies that will contribute to the advancement of higher education.
“By integrating sustainability with innovative marketing techniques, I aim to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking educational and digital landscape,” she said.
Ms Pandaram has received in a few impressive achievements over the years, one of which includes the Sunday World’s Unsung Hero project under the Youth in Academia and Education category.
