dietrich.baron@edunova.org
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About

ABOUT US

Our Mission

Creating environments where:
  • Students are motivated, self-directed lifelong learners
  • Individual needs are met and potential is fully realised
  • Collaboration and cooperation are encouraged
  • Technology enhances and supports learning effectively
  • Students are prepared for life, with a culture of continuous learning
Our vision is to help create the systems that enable all individuals to become effective learners.
ABOUT US

Our Approach

We believe technology cannot change education without people to lead it.

Our model focuses on:
Empowering educators
with ICT training, mentorship and classroom integration support
Developing future ICT professionals (ITE graduates)
to provide long-term technical support in schools
Exposing learners to digital innovation
through coding, robotics and ICT programmes
Supporting school leadership
to drive digital strategy and transformation
ABOUT US

Our Approach

We believe technology cannot change education without people to lead it.

Our model focuses on:
Empowering educators
with ICT training, mentorship and classroom integration support
Developing future ICT professionals (ITE graduates)
to provide long-term technical support in schools
Exposing learners to digital innovation
through coding, robotics and ICT programmes
Supporting school leadership
to drive digital strategy and transformation

Our Values

ABOUT US
Edunova’s core values guide everything we do and reflect who we are as an organisation. These values underpin our programmes, interactions and partnerships - ensuring that our work is impactful, inclusive and sustainable.
We treat Edunova as if it is our own.
We demonstrate personal ownership and accountability, caring deeply about the company’s success.
We commit until the job is done.
We persist with dedication and follow through.
We recognise and celebrate contributions and successes.
We appreciate and acknowledge the efforts and achievements of individuals and teams.
We are resolute in the pursuit of improvement.
We constantly seek growth and development, striving to enhance everything we do.
We embrace diversity.
We value and respect differences in people, ideas, and perspectives as strengths.
We commit to partnership and teamwork.
We believe collaboration and strong relationships are essential to achieving shared goals.
ABOUT US

Meet our Board

At Edunova, our board is more than a steering committee – they're the ultimate co-owners, holding the company’s success close to their hearts, like it’s their very own. They champion innovation, accountability and a relentless drive to turn educational challenges into transformative opportunities.

Each board member treats Edunova’s mission as their personal mission, proving that true leadership means owning every lesson learned and every success earned. When it comes to shaping the future of education, this board leads with passion, partnership and the kind of dedication that turns good intentions into great impact.
Edunova’s Board Members serves a two-year term to be eligible for re-appointment at our AGM. Board meetings are held quarterly and committee meetings are held in coordination with full board meetings. Our Board Members represent all spheres of what makes Edunova work – including representatives from government, education, philanthropy, finance and the nonprofit sector.

To be an Edunova board member, we expect:
  • Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
  • A commitment to and understanding of Edunova’s beneficiaries, based on experience.
  • Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of Edunova’s beneficiaries.
PLEASE NOTE: Service on Edunova’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.
John Thöle
Founder and CEO
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John Thöle - Founder and CEO
John Thöle is a founding member of Edunova in the UK and in South Africa. He is a qualified teacher and was Head of ICT at schools in South Africa and the UK. John’s focus has been on the leadership and management of ICT and, in this respect, John works closely with principals, senior strategic teams and corporate leaders to ensure the professional implementation of ICT. During his years with an IBM Premier Business Partner, John has also had key roles in the selection and procurement of ICT infrastructure and the project management of large-scale ICT deployments.

Whilst at Edunova in the UK (10 years), John had leadership responsibility for:

  • Developing ICT Strategies for the City Academies
  • Educational and commercial ICT Consulting programmes
  • Building Schools for the Future programmes


John made a life decision to return to South Africa with the aim of wishing to setup an organisation that would work to bring about change in the lives of young and unemployed South Africans. Edunova NPC was formed almost 20 years ago when John began working in townships and rural areas to understand the educational and social needs of these communities.

Since then, under John’s leadership, Edunova has scaled and grown to have bases with teams and infrastructure in all provinces of South Africa, working with over 1500 schools, 7500 teachers and nearly 100,000 learners to change lives in this sector. Edunova has increased revenue and turnover from R50,000 to more than R50 million resulting in it becoming a high impact national company operating throughout South Africa.

Victor Ngobeni
Director
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Victor Ngobeni - Director
Victor Ngobeni is the Director for ICT Leadership at Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance MGSLG). MGSLG is a teacher training entity of the Gauteng Department of Education. Victor is responsible for strategic planning of the directorate in regard to the use of technology by school leaders. In his role, Victor also assists in the implementation of the training offered across the organisation and contribute to the vision of modernisation within the organisation.

Before joining MGSLG, Victor worked for Microsoft and later Pearson in different roles including Training manager and Innovation Manager. However, he started his career as teacher and later progressed to being an eLearning District coordinator. His experience in the corporate world has enabled him to gain extensive knowledge of the South African skills development requirements. He now works closely with educational bodies such as QCTO, SACE, SAQA, MICT seta, etc. He is a dedicated and passionate individual with extensive marketing and business experience in the fields of ICT in Education.

He has almost 30-years’ experience in the education sector and holds a Higher Diploma in Education from Giyani College of Education, BA Degree UNISA, B. Ed Honours: Education Management, Law & Policy from University of Pretoria and a Masters Degree in educational technology from Wits. He is currently studying for a Doctoral Degree in Data-Driven Education at Wits.

Dietrich Baron
Member
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Dietrich Baron - Member
Dietrich Baron is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Edunova NPC, where he leads organisational operations, programme delivery, and strategic execution across education and digital skills initiatives implemented nationally. He has over ten years’ experience in the education and non-profit sectors, with a strong focus on large-scale youth development programmes, education projects, and coordinating operational activities and teams towards effective execution.

He holds a Bachelor of Education degree specialising in Mathematics and Languages, postgraduate studies in Educational Leadership and Management, and a Project Management qualification obtained during his tenure at the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT). His academic background is complemented by practical experience in systems-level programme management.

At Edunova, Dietrich oversees programme implementation, team coordination, and performance management to ensure delivery against organisational objectives and funder requirements. His work is driven by a strong grounding in education practice and a commitment to improving access, quality, and outcomes for learners and youth across South Africa.

Wesley Diphoko
Member
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Wesley Diphoko - Member
Wesley Diphoko has been working at the intersection of technology, media and communications across organisations. In the early 2000s Wesley worked for the University of the Western Cape as its head of online communications. In 2013 he left to start a technology skills development organisation, Kaya Labs, where he trained technology graduates for the world of work. He later joined South Africa’s leading media company to develop its skills and innovation lab that was instrumental in the media companies transitioning from print to digital. He also worked within the South African technology startups ecosystem, serving as the Director of Africa’s first technology incubator, the Bandwidth Barn. In early 2020, Wesley was named Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company South Africa. He serves on the Industry Advisory board of the Information Systems department at the University of the Western Cape.

Karen Butler
Member
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Karen Butler - Member
Karen Butler is a qualified finance professional with a BCom Honours in Accountancy from UNISA and a BCom in Accountancy from the University of Johannesburg. She completed her articles with KPMG and has built over 20 years of experience in senior finance roles across the manufacturing and non-profit sectors. Her expertise spans day-to-day financial operations through to strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting. With experience at South African Revenue Service (SARS), Karen brings a strong foundation in tax and compliance. Karen is a values-driven professional, passionate about contributing to the non-profit sector. She is highly analytical, deadline-focused and an effective communicator who thrives in collaborative, diverse environments and embraces both challenges and continuous learning.
Portia Mambaso
Member
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Portia Mambaso - Member
Portia is a strategic Customer Success leader with over 17 years’ experience partnering with enterprise and mid-market clients to drive adoption, value realisation and growth across complex technology platforms. With deep expertise in post-sale delivery, customer health and cross-functional execution, she excels in translating technical solutions into measurable business outcomes. Known for her hands-on, results-driven approach, Portia has successfully increased retention, reduced churn and built high-performing teams that deliver seamless onboarding and long-term customer success.

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