About Uthingo Suppliers and Publishers
Uthingo is the isiZulu word for “rainbow”, a symbol of hope, unity, and possibility. True to our name, we bring a rainbow of excellence to every school, classroom, and organisation we work with. Founded on a deep passion for African books, education, and cultural preservation, Uthingo Suppliers and Publishers is committed to empowering, uplifting educators, and shaping the next generation of leaders.
We believe in the transformative power of language and culture. By partnering with talented authors, we bring unique perspectives and rich narratives to learners and educators both locally and internationally, fostering a deeper understanding of African experiences.
Our mission extends beyond publishing. We are passionate about preserving Africa’s diverse traditions, languages, and histories, ensuring that every book we release contributes to the appreciation of our shared heritage.
Why We Exist
Our mission is simple: to ensure that African voices are heard, celebrated, and equipped with the tools for success. We believe in the power of language and education to transform lives, and we exist to inspire drive, performance, and pride in learners, teachers, and organisations alike.
Leadership and ownership
Uthingo Suppliers and Publishers is a 100% black female-owned enterprise led by two founding directors. Their unique and complementary expertise forms the cornerstone of the company’s strategic vision and operational excellence.
Tozi Buthelezi
Tozi Buthelezi is a founding member and Director of Uthingo Suppliers and Publishers. She is a proud creator of isiZulu children’s books that promote cultural awareness, identity, and inclusive learning. Tozi Buthelezi is a passionate author, storyteller, education specialist, and advocate for respect, diversity, and inclusion (RDI). With over 30 years of experience in isiZulu education, Tozi has taught in both government and private schools, gaining rich insights into diverse educational environments. She brings deep expertise in teaching, leadership, curriculum design, and the development of learning materials. She has also served as a Matric isiZulu
examiner and moderator, and played a pivotal role in educator training and transformation initiatives that embed diversity, equity, and inclusion in learning environments. Tozi is a specialist in the RDI space, leading impactful programs that promote inclusive practices across educational and corporate settings. Her storytelling and advocacy continue to inspire individuals and institutions to embrace cultural identity, respect, and unity.
She also served as a Part-time Lecturer in isiZulu Teaching Methodologies at the University of Natal, contributing to the professional development of future isiZulu educators.
Qualifications
– Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Zululand
– Higher Education Diploma (HED), University of Natal
– Advanced Diploma in Adult Education, University of Natal
– Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP) Qualification
– Design and Development of Learning and Teaching Materials
– Train the Trainer; Assessment; Coaching and Mentoring
– Certificate: Fundamentals of Advanced Technology.
– Certificate: Code of Conduct and Discipline.
– Authorship, Editing and Proofreading
Publishers Worked With
– Oxford University Press (Cape Town)
– Cambridge University Press
– Pearson Education South Africa
– Shuter & Shooter
Busi Radebe
Busi Radebe is the Founding member and Director of Uthingo Suppliers and Publishers (Pty) Ltd. She has strong Corporate and Business Management exposure that she developed through being in Senior Management and Executive positions in the Public and Private Sectors for over 20 years. Her corporate experience has empowered her with intensive knowledge and expertise in Strategic Business management, Business Strategy Development and Implementation, Business Processes review and reengineering, Organisational Effectiveness, Organisational Perfomance, Transformation and many more. Busi is passionate about literacy programmes as well as assisting the schools to have the right strategies, processes, systems and resources to enable them to deliver quality product and delivery to all their stakeholders.
Before founding Uthingo, Busi was a founding member and CEO of BizPro Training, an organization that focused on providing training to various audiences . The business also offered business consulting services across different organisations.
Qualifications
-B. Admin (Hons) – University of Zululand
-Master of Business Administration (MBA) – De Montfort University (UK)
-Master’s Degree in Public Administration – University of Toledo (USA)
-Postgraduate Diplomas in:
-Project Management
-Sales & Marketing
-Strategy Facilitation
-Qualified ETDP SETA Assessor and Facilitator
Schools We Collaborate With
