Mzansi On Notice: Sbusiso Mdluli - Training Day to Day, Excellence and Prestige

Mzansi On Notice: Sibusiso Mdluli - Empowering The Kids of Tomorrow and Developing Today! 

This institute is doing a remarkable work, especially in a small town such as Acornhoek where opportunities are limited, a game changer and added advantage to enhance and improve students capabilities. We sat down with Sibusiso Mdluli who gave us the details and more. 

Welcome to Mzansi Avenue thank you for joining us and how are You?

Who is Sibusiso Mdluli and what does he do?

Sbu: I'm a young man born and bred in Mpumalanga, in a town called Acornhoek, specifically in a small village called Brenda. I'm a passionate science enthusiast. I’m also the founder of the Acornhoek Institute for Science and Technology (AIST), an organisation dedicated to improving Mathematics and Science education and providing digital skills training for rural youth. Additionally, I'm the founder of a startup company called ANTIGRAVITY, which I’m building with my long-time friend and collaborator, Mr. Shephard Mpulawane.

When did this amazing project Kickstart and what inspired it?

Sbu: The work began in 2016 when I saw the challenges learners from rural areas, including myself, faced in Maths and Science due to limited access to resources. That year, I teamed up with my high school friend, Mr. Shephard Mpulawane (now co-founder of AIST), to launch a Maths and Physics Summer School for Grade 11 learners. It was called the Acornhoek Physics Summer School and took place during the December–January holidays to introduce students to Grade 12 content in advance. I taught Physics and Shephard taught Maths.

Because of the success and impact of that initiative, in 2020 we officially launched the Acornhoek Institute for Science and Technology (AIST) to expand the work. In 2025, I also founded the Sibusiso Mdhluli Foundation to further this mission, creating broader access to quality education and essential resources for youth from underserved communities.

What do you love most about tutoring and assisting learners ?

Sbu: While I no longer tutor directly in our programmes, what brings me the greatest joy is seeing the learners I once taught now stepping up, not only succeeding in their academic journeys but returning to coordinate and tutor in the very programmes that once supported them. It’s a full-circle moment that proves the work is making a lasting difference. Watching them grow into leaders and give back to their communities is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

How's the reception around this amazing work you all do from parents and students?

Sbu: The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents are grateful for the extra academic support their children receive, especially in subjects that are often considered difficult. Students appreciate the way we break down concepts and the safe space we create for learning. Many families now see education as a more achievable path to a better future

What are some of the challenges you've come across and how did you manage to deal with them?

Sbu: Running such programmes always comes with challenges. Working in a rural area, there is a lack of resources such as computer labs for our digital skills training and funding for the projects, as we run them for free. Fortunately, in recent years we have received support from other organisations with funding, such as Centre for Radio Cosmology (University of the Western Cape), Department of Physics & Astronomy (UWC), Royal Astronomical Society, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE), Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA). In addition to institutional support, many of our former students and personal friends have made generous contributions to help fund our programs, which enabled us to support more students. We are also currently building partnerships with local organisations that have computers, to expand our digital skills training

What's your daily motivation?

Sbu: Knowing that the work we do helps change the course of someone’s life keeps me going. I’ve seen learners who once struggled gain confidence and go on to study further or come back to serve others. It reminds me that even the smallest effort can have a lasting ripple effect.

Anything you've learned about yourself while going on this journey?

Sbu: I’ve learned that passion, when paired with persistence and people, can achieve things beyond your imagination. I’ve grown in leadership, communication, and understanding the needs of others. Most importantly, I’ve learned that transformation takes time and consistency.

What does your daily routine look like?

Sbu: My day starts with prayer and reading my Bible. I check in with my team, spend time working on strategy, proposals, or resource mobilisation, and often engage with learners or educators for feedback. I dedicate evenings to spending time with my family before heading to sleep.

These days, one of the things I do is drive to our Science Centre, our new project, during the day to check on the progress we're making. When I’m not busy, I also do some cleaning around the facility to keep the space in good condition.

One of the things that also keeps me busy is our startup, ANTIGRAVITY, which I’m working on with my friend Mr. Shephard Mpulawane. I often spend my free time brainstorming with him about what we want to achieve through it.

What books are you currently reading?

Sbu: Lately, the only book I've been consistently reading is the Bible. I’ve been drawn to growing my relationship with God, and this has helped me stay focused and grounded, especially with my busy schedule. It’s also been a vital part of my preparation, as I recently started pastoring at our local church.

Apart from that, I stay informed by watching the news to keep up with developments in politics, education, and the digital space, especially in the area of Artificial Intelligence. I also enjoy watching tech documentaries, they’re a great way to stay updated and inspired.

Who are your influences and why?

Sbu: have significantly shaped my journey, both academically and spiritually.

Firstly, my high school Physics mentor, Mr. Lovemore Murwisi, played a huge role in making me fall in love with Physics. His teaching style, dedication, and ability to go beyond the textbook to ensure students truly understood the subject left a lasting impression on me.

Academically, I’ve been influenced by several mentors during my university years. Prof. Saalih Allie, Director of NASSP at the University of Cape Town (where I did my Honours degree), had a heart for students that was evident in how he cared about our success and well-being. Dr. Zwidofhelangani Khangale, one of the NASSP coordinators, also displayed that same deep concern and mentorship.

Prof. Roy Maartens, my Honours supervisor at the University of Cape Town (UCT), along with my MSc supervisors at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Prof. Russ Taylor and Prof. Mattia Vaccari, had a significant impact on my academic journey. Their mentorship, insight, and encouragement helped shape my scientific thinking and strengthened my confidence as a researcher. They also demonstrated a model of leadership that puts students first, always prioritizing both academic success and personal wellbeing. This deeply influenced how I now mentor and support the team and students I work with, ensuring that their growth and wellness are always at the centre of our work.

Another key influence was my late mentor, Prof. Carolina Odman Govender. She trained me wholeheartedly in proposal writing and project leadership, skills I rely on daily in my work. Her passion for science communication and community engagement continues to inspire me.

Spiritually, Prophet TB Joshua has had a major impact on my life. Watching his teachings online helped me grow in my prayer life and understand the Word of God more clearly. His simple yet powerful way of teaching, along with his compassion and philanthropy, has inspired me to serve others and remain committed to helping people, especially the poor and underserved.

5 songs on your playlist right now?

Sbu: don’t have specific songs that I listen to regularly, but lately, I’ve been drawn to Nigerian gospel music, especially artists like House of Salem and Lawrence Ayo. I don’t really focus on particular songs, just the message and the worship experience. Sometimes, I also enjoy listening to apostolic or Zion-style songs from our local church, you know, those old-school worship songs we grew up with. They remind me of my roots and carry a deep spiritual connection.

How do you identify a learner's strong points and where they struggle and what methods do you use to better translate the information so it's processed with understanding?

Sbu: With the work we do, we usually start by giving all students the same tasks or assessments. This allows them to naturally reveal their strengths and areas where they might be struggling. From there, we observe how each learner engages with the material and identify where they need the most support. Once we’ve assessed that, we tailor our approach, whether it's giving extra exercises, offering one-on-one help, or using different teaching methods, to make sure the content is understood in a way that works best for them.

Which subject of learning is your favourite and why?

Sbu: Both are fields I specialised in during my postgraduate studies.

Astrophysics fascinates me because it opens our minds to the scale and beauty of the universe. It's not just about stars and galaxies, it's about critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning how to ask the big questions. That’s why I also teach astrophysics as part of our programs and outreach efforts, to inspire more students in rural areas to pursue careers in STEM.

Artificial Intelligence, on the other hand, is shaping our present and future. I’m particularly excited by how it can be used to transform education, bridge resource gaps, and create new opportunities, especially in underserved communities. I continue to explore its potential as part of our tech startup and digital skills programs.

Together, these two fields fuel my passion for science, education, and innovation.

Could you please tell us about your team and what's it like working with them?

Sbu: At AIST, we’re fortunate to have a large and growing team, currently around 25 dedicated individuals, all leading different projects to support the students we work with.

What makes our team truly special is that over 90% of them are alumni of our own programs. These are young people who were once learners in our initiatives and are now either graduates or current university students giving back to the next generation. For example, our Chairperson, Mr. Believe Ndlovu, is a BSc Applied Geology graduate from the University of the Western Cape and a proud product of AIST.

We also have high school teachers and even parents as part of our team. This mix brings together different perspectives, skills, and experiences. It’s truly amazing to work alongside such passionate individuals who not only believe in the vision, but have lived it, they’ve seen firsthand the impact of our work and are committed to continuing the journey with us.

If anyone wants to get involved, how can they get in touch?

Sbu: We’re always open to collaboration, support, and new ideas. Anyone interested in getting involved, whether through volunteering, partnerships, or donations, can reach us via email at admin@aist.org.za. We’d love to hear from you!

Any resources you may need? 

Sbu: Yes, we are always in need of resources to expand and sustain our impact—especially in the rural communities we serve. Some of the key resources include:

Laptops and desktops for our digital skills and coding training programs

Projectors and science kits for our school-based outreach and summer school sessions

Financial support or sponsorships to cover transport, meals, and learning materials for students

Internet access and mobile data for remote learning support

Support for our Science Centre, which we are currently setting up. Renovations are ongoing, and we welcome any assistance with infrastructure, equipment, and furnishings to help make it a functional, inspiring space for learning and innovation.

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a real difference in the lives of the learners we support.

You can also support us through this link: givengain

Your social media handles?

For Me:

Instagram: @Official_Sibusiso_Mdhluli

Facebook: Sibusiso Mdhluli

Linkedink: Profile

Instagram: @aist_online

TikTok: @aist_official

Facebook: Acornhoek Institute for Science and Technology

Sibusiso Mdhluli is excellence everyday and leads with impact, his path is assisting others walk in success and be established. This institute serves a great purpose and we are rooting for them.

Thank You for Joining Us 

Until Next Time 

God Bless 

Mzansi Avenue