₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH_k3xHxU-s?si=EhD1-kviAry1DoQl

It was only a matter of time before artificial intelligence made it’s way into the education sector. And it looks like that time is now, because the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has announced the launch of a manufacturing facility to produce AI humanoid “IRIS” tutor devices at the Dube TradePort in Durban.

CEO of BSG and Technologies, Thandoh Gumede, said that the long-term goal is to deploy the company’s IRIS robotic tutors at all 23 000 schools across South Africa. She did say in a 2025 interview that they would not be developed to replace teachers but to enhance the learning experience for pupils.

She used to be a teacher herself of maths and physical science and she said that she encountered several challenges that she believes these robots could help with. “She is a tutor robot, which means that she is assisting our teachers. Our teachers are going through a lot. They work at school, then get back home and are still working, when are they getting their time with their families?”

She went on to explain that IRIS devices function similarly to AI tools, which teachers can prompt via keyboard input or voice commands. They use AI and machine learning to provide information. Designed to resemble humanoids, they provide visual feedback via a display on their chests and audio feedback through speakers.

These humanoids could assist teachers with marking and with analysing the curriculum and learner results. This, she hopes, will make teaching more efficient. Learners can also use the robot to help in explaining concepts in each of South Africa’s 11 official languages.

Nomalungelo Gina, deputy minister of science, technology and innovation, welcomed the launch of the IRIS manufacturing facility in Durban, saying that the initiative had the potential to create 20 000 jobs over the next five years – an example of how innovation could drive industrial development and economic growth.

South Africa is currently experiencing high teacher vacancy rates amid record unemployment. As of August 2026, there were 27 000 vacant teaching posts. The Eastern Cape had the most vacancies, with more than 5 000, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 4 700 and Gauteng at more than 3 900. The hope is that these humanoids could help to fill the many gaps.

“I developed IRIS because I wanted to create a platform that helps teachers, administrators and learners work together more effectively,” said Gumede at the launch of the facility. “It took more than seven years of persistence, self-funding and continuous development to reach this stage,” she said. Not having the funds to hire developers, she taught herself to code and develop the robots’ software.

Gumede said, “Our goal is to see IRIS deployed in all 23 000 schools across South Africa, ensuring that every learner has access to quality educational support regardless of where they live. At the same time, we aim to create 20 000 jobs over the next five years through manufacturing, technical support, training and the growth of the innovation ecosystem”.

So, it won’t be long before every South African classroom has a robot in it. Let’s hope they behave.

nlfpmod

:::


27000 teacher vacancy shortages/posts.
(I had to read that part 2x to make sure I understood what I was reading)


I've always said it every thing about the xenophobes is the other way around.


First time I'm hearing shortages to fill vacancy posts rather than the other way around.


Anyway, I'm no prophet of doom. So let me say something nice.

It's a nice and welcome development- integrating ai robots to assist teachers that is.


:::

brain54:
:::


27000 teacher vacancy shortages/posts.


I've always said it every thing about South Africa is the other way around.


First time I'm hearing shortages to fill vacancy posts rather than the other way around.


Anyway, I'm no prophet of doom. It's a nice and welcome development- integrating ai robots to assist teachers that is.


:::

This is both funny and ironic coming from someone from Nigeria, lol

IronGalaxy:
This is both funny and ironic coming from someone from Nigeria, lol

:::


Nothing ironic about what I said or where I come from. In Nigeria and other normal places it's usually the other way around- people willing to work with less available opportunities/employment.


The irony here is South Africans complaining of people taking their jobs when they are many vacancies they can't even fill because they aren't even qualified to take up those positions in the first place.


People are taking your jobs yet there are 27000 vacancies for teachers alone they are not capable of filling.


Always opposite set of folks.


:::

brain54:
:::


Nothing ironic about what I said or where I come from. In Nigeria and other normal places it's usually the other way around.


The irony here is South Africans complaining of people taking their jobs when they are many vacancies they can't even fill because they aren't even qualified to take up those positions in the first place.


People are taking your jobs yet there are 27000 vacancies for teachers alone they are not capable of filling.


Always opposite set of folks.


:::

You said "we do things anti-clockwise " I say that's funny and rich coming from a Nigerian. finish.. no need for epistles

IronGalaxy:
You said "we do things anti-clockwise " I say that's funny and rich coming from a Nigerian. finish.. no need for epistles

:::


Did I tell you I didn't see what you said. I already replied you. You can counter what I said and stop repeating yourself.

No one is stopping you from writing your own epistle.


:::

brain54:
:::


Did I tell you I didn't see what you said. I already replied you. You can counter what I said and stop repeating yourself.

No one is stopping you from writing your own epistle.


:::

You need to look at your country first before making some utterances, Have self-awareness

IronGalaxy:
You need to look at your country first before making some utterances, Have self-awareness

:::


Things aren't done abnormally in my country. We don't do things the opposite way. That's your specialty.


:::

brain54:
:::


They is not in my country abnormal. We don't do things the opposite way. That's your specialty.


:::

Is it? For a country that's still lacking in toilets and ambulances. you don't even have business commenting on robotics of South Africa , stay in your lane

brain54:
Nothing ironic about what I said or where I come from. In Nigeria and other normal places it's usually the other way around- people willing to work with less available opportunities/employment.

The irony here is South Africans complaining of people taking their jobs when they are many vacancies they can't even fill because they aren't even qualified to take up those positions in the first place.

People are taking your jobs yet there are 27000 vacancies for teachers alone they are not capable of filling.

Always opposite set of folks.
:::

The figure doesn't suggest a lack of qualified teaching graduates, it's far more complex as the Minister of Education explains below.

https://iol.co.za/capeargus/news/2026-08-12-why-south-africa-has-over-27-000-unfilled-teaching-position/

IronGalaxy:
Is it? For a country that's still lacking in toilets and ambulances.. you don't even have business commenting on robotics of South Africa , stay in your lane

:::


Are there toilets and ambulances in Soweto where you live?



:::

RandDigital:
The figure doesn't suggest a lack of qualified teaching graduates, it's far more complex as the Minister of Education explains below.

https://iol.co.za/capeargus/news/2026-08-12-why-south-africa-has-over-27-000-unfilled-teaching-position/

:::


How won't filling ordinary teaching positions be complex? Hellloooooo... it's south Africa. The land of the opposites.



:::

brain54:
:::


Are there toilets and ambulances in Soweto where you live?



:::

Lol, There are FIFA -accredited stadiums, malls, hospitals, universities, etc.. in Soweto my guy. 😂 the infrastructure in that place dwarfs most of your country, let's not go there

IronGalaxy:
Lol, There are FIFA -accredited stadiums, malls, hospitals, universities, etc.. in Soweto my guy.. 😂 the infrastructure in that place dwarfs most of your country

:::


And there are no malls, universities and hospitals in Nigeria ? Like it's not the same Soweto slum we know again.

You have not answered my question. Are there toilets in Soweto where you sleep?


:::

brain54:
:::


And there are no malls, universities and hospitals in Nigeria ? Like it's not the same Soweto slum we know again.


:::

You said Soweto had no toilets or ambulances hence I tell you it has way more than that.. Don't backpeddle now. I can tell you for free.. all those malls, hospitals of Nigeriaetc.. pale into comparison with what Soweto has..

the slums of Soweto below


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5eUOcVE-24&t=7s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4agxHaLUG8Q&t=1s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjOCc6IMEI&list=PLRx1_0MvBRCeVjhqwbOYci9ptoDgD65yN


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUi-vAu4JSI&t=420s

brain54:
How won't filling ordinary teaching positions be complex? Hellloooooo... it's south Africa. The land of the opposites.
:::

Yes opposite coz here we pay our civil servants monthly🇿🇦🏆, unlike your high school teacher who hasn't been paid since 2006 in Nigeria 🇳🇬😂😂😂

IronGalaxy:
Is it? For a country that's still lacking in toilets and ambulances.. you don't even have business commenting on robotics of South Africa , stay in your lane

And with your toilets and ambulances including your robotics, you are still living rent free in a Nigerian Forum. Shame.

RandDigital:
Yes opposite coz here we pay our civil servants monthly🇿🇦🏆, unlike your high school teacher who hasn't been paid since 2006 in Nigeria 🇳🇬😂😂😂

:::


This comment stinks of ignorance.


:::

obiekunie01:
And with your toilets and ambulances including your robotics, you are still living rent free in a Nigerian Forum. Shame.

it beats squatting in your country demanding free services.. I can simply log in and out from this forum

brain54:
:::


This comment stinks of ignorance.


:::

Like yours about Soweto right?Lol, the answer to your earlier question is, yes, we have ambulances in every corner of SA, including infromal settlements (shacks))

Take out the foreigners and put in South Africans
So why are we having so many vacancies

RandDigital:
Yes opposite coz here we pay our civil servants monthly🇿🇦🏆, unlike your high school teacher who hasn't been paid since 2006 in Nigeria 🇳🇬😂😂😂

And with your nice pay and a population of more than 60 million #drunks# you couldn't still find good teachers to fill 27000 teaching vacancies!
Says a lot about your nicely paid 'c'evil' servants and your ##zeno-demonic-A-holes@ZA.

IronGalaxy:
You said Soweto had no toilets or ambulances hence I tell you it has way more than that.. Don't backpeddle now. I can tell you for free.. all those malls, hospitals of Nigeriaetc.. pale into comparison with what Soweto has..

the slums of Soweto below


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5eUOcVE-24&t=7s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4agxHaLUG8Q&t=1s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjOCc6IMEI&list=PLRx1_0MvBRCeVjhqwbOYci9ptoDgD65yN


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUi-vAu4JSI&t=420s

:::


Your argument makes no sense as they are toilets in Nigeria... so as universities, malls and every other thing you mentioned. Whether they pale the ones in Nigeria or not. Is not the argument.


They are places in Nigeria that do not have adequate toilet facilities same as Soweto and other slums in South Africa have no toilets and that's a fact.


:::

brain54:
This comment stinks of ignorance.
:::

10 years unpaid teachers salaries

3 years unpaid teachers salaries

72 days unpaid teachers salaries

Undisputed champions of unpaid labour in the world 🇳🇬🏆🏆🏆🏆

IronGalaxy:
Like yours about Soweto right?Lol, the answer to your earlier question is, yes, we have ambulances in every corner of SA, including infromal settlements (shacks))

:::


Tell that to the Marines boy.


:::

brain54:
:::


Your argument makes no sense as they are toilets in Nigeria... so as universities, malls and every other thing you mentioned. Whether they pale the ones in Nigeria or not. Is not the argument.


They are places in Nigeria that do not have adequate toilet facilities same as Soweto and other slums in South Africa have no toilets and that's a fact.


:::

Guy stop arguing
You are disgracing yourself

What is there to argue again? The guy has finished you technically you are still arguing

RandDigital:
10 years unpaid teachers salaries

3 years unpaid teachers salaries

72 days unpaid teachers salaries

Undisputed champions of unpaid labour in the world 🇳🇬🏆🏆🏆🏆

:::


This one has come again with fake and manufactured data nothing unusual.


:::

brain54:
:::


Your argument makes no sense as they are toilets in Nigeria... so as universities, malls and every other thing you mentioned. Whether they pale the ones in Nigeria or not. Is not the argument.


They are places in Nigeria that do not have adequate toilet facilities same as Soweto and other slums in South Africa have no toilets and that's a fact.


:::

haha.. You asked if we had "toilets" and "ambulances" in Soweto though? 😂 😂 my answer was that Soweto had far more than just toilets.. infact it boasted infrastructure that dwarfs a lot of areas of your country... hence I mentioned, universities, malls, and stadiums...do those exist in your equivalent of townships? I don't think so

Nigeria has a shortage of toilets and ambulances.. someone with a stature of Anthony Joshua would never struggle getting an ambulance in South Africa

brain54:
:::


Tell that to the Marines boy.


:::

I've already told you, so message delivered

VeeVeeMyLuv:
Guy stop arguing
You are disgracing yourself

What is there to argue again? The guy has finished you technically you are still arguing

Lol, this is what your people do whenever they see the words "South Africa", on every thread, we are used to it at this point. More people will come, to insult, talk down, underestimate. etc. It's the Nigerian way

oloriooko:
Take out the foreigners and put in South Africans
So why are we having so many vacancies

Have the foreigners been taken out? that's news to me

IronGalaxy:
haha.. You asked if we had "toilets" and "ambulances" in Soweto though? 😂 😂 my answer was Soweto had far more than just toilets.. infact it boasted infrastructure that dwarfs a lot of areas of your country... hence I mentioned, universities, malls, and stadiums...do those exist in your equivalent of townships? I don't think so

Nigeria has a shortage of toilets and ambulances.. someone with a stature of Anthony Joshua would never struggle getting an ambulance in South Africa,

:::


So your argument is that they aren't stadiums, malls and universities in our townships and toilets in our townships? Are you sure you aren't drunk?


You are lying about Soweto having all those facilities and you know it.

Even in South Africa, Europe and everywhere they are cases of ambulances and emergency facilities not arriving on time.


:::