Meet Funalwazi Haarvoor, a passionate and driven entrepreneur making waves in Victoria West through his mathematics tutoring business, Math ME UP. What began as informal extra lessons from his home in 2022 has grown into a thriving enterprise, transforming the way students engage with mathematics – and achieving markedly remarkable results along the way. 

 Funalwazi’s journey began when he recognised a critical need for mathematics tuition in his community. In June 2023, he was offered the opportunity to teach at Victoria West Hoërskool and Victoria West Gekombineerde Skool as a substitute mathematics teacher. Over two terms, Funalwazi’s dedication and innovative teaching methods led to extraordinary improvements in student performance. Grade 8 pass rates, which were below 10%, soared to 84%, while Grades 10–12 achieved an impressive 100% pass rate by the end of 2023. 

This success was the catalyst Funalwazi needed to take his vision to the next level. In November 2023, he officially registered his business, Math ME UP, and began offering structured mathematics tutoring to learners in his community. Since then, he has seen firsthand the transformative impact of his work – not only on individual learners but also on the overall classroom dynamic. 

However, Funalwazi’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. One of his biggest hurdles is ensuring that all learners who need his services can access them. While his tuition fees are affordable at just R250 per month, many families in the community struggle to afford even this modest amount. Despite this, Funalwazi remains committed to his mission, constantly seeking ways to support under-resourced learners and expand his reach.