UNIZULU Alumnus Busani Biyela Making Waves in Education Sector

Busani Ian Biyela enrolled for a BCom Accounting degree at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) in 2002 with the intent of one day qualifying as a chartered accountant. He would later take a totally different path – one he would eventually find rewarding and impactful.

During his studies for his undergraduate degree, young Biyela was approached by one of his high school teachers to tutor learners in the subject of accounting. This stint awakened him to his hidden talent of teaching. Not only was he excellent at transferring accounting knowledge but he was also a great coach on the soccer pitch. This dual high performance earned him respect in the education space when he joined Empangeni High School as a permanent accounting educator in January 2009. This came after he had collectively served as a temporary teacher for four years, first in Bathembu High School in Msinga and then Manqamu High School in Kwambonambi, both in KwaZulu-Natal.

Taking cognisance of the trajectory of his career at the time, Biyela returned to UNIZULU to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) between 2007 and 2008. This qualification, he said, edified his teaching experience as he was now able to effectively impart his accounting knowledge to his pupils. This became even more apparent when he assumed his position at Empangeni High School.

“This is when things started changing for me. Even the people in the education sector started to notice me because of the changes one was making [in Empangeni High School],” Biyela acknowledged.

“I was ranked by King Cetshwayo District as the number one educator in the district for five consecutive years. I also changed the [way soccer was perceived] in the school, taking it from being a ‘dead’ sport to one of the most feared soccer-playing schools in the province. That is when we started seeing learners from the school going straight to professional leagues and others going abroad through soccer and I was mentoring them.”

After an eight-year stay in Empangeni High School, Biyela took the plunge and made an unconventional switch from high school to primary school level. He accepted an appointment as Principal of Grantham Park Primary School (GPPS) in 2017. Amid the change of environment, his string of accolades continued, a hallmark of his innate brilliance.

In January 2025, he travelled to India where he collected the prestigious Global Principal Award also known as the Super 50 Award during the Global Education Fest 2024-2025. This was in recognition of his immense contribution to the education field. To be recognised at this level, one must first be nominated and, after a preliminary screening process, submit multiple supporting documents as evidence of their stupendous performance. The full application then undergoes an adjudication process after which awarding takes place, should the criteria be met. Biyela was nominated by a peer in the education field who admired the strides he has taken in GPPS both in terms of academics and extracurricular activities.

“Being an award-winning principal was definitely a matter of fate. As much as I would want to work in silence, the more I do well, the more I will attract attention. I am not the type of person who goes around looking for recognition. If I am happy and satisfied with what I have done, then I don’t look for external recognition,” Biyela said.

Notwithstanding his usual stance regarding being in the limelight, the principal admits that receiving his latest award is a great feat that represents hard work, dedication and resilience.

Apart from possessing an undergraduate accounting degree and PGCE, Biyela also holds an honours degree in education which he completed at UNIZULU in 2021.

He lauded his alma mater for successfully sharpening him for the world of work. From his accounting degree, he learned the essence of ethical conduct in the workplace. The knowledge he acquired from this qualification is also instrumental in the fulfilment of his day-to-day responsibilities as a principal, especially since this entails making multiple financial decisions. His honours degree groomed him to be a conscientious, accessible leader.

– Naledi Hlefane

Pictures: Xolani Ncube and Samkele Sokhela