Blog - e-Learning for South Africans

Introduction Have you ever caught yourself explaining something—something you know well—and thought, “I could probably teach this”? Not in a grand, classroom-on-a-hill sort of way, but more like… helping people skip the painful trial-and-error you went through. That quiet moment where you realise, Wait, I’ve actually figured some of this out—it’s more meaningful than it first seems. That’s the seed, really. And in today’s world, you don’t need a fancy degree or a university podium to share what you know. You just need a platform, a bit of structure, and a willingness to hit "record"—even if it’s messy the first time. Becoming an online instructor isn’t some distant dream anymore; it's something real people, with regular lives and weird schedules, are already doing. Some do it to earn extra income. Some to build their brand. And others—honestly?—just because it feels good to share. So here are ten things that might happen when you decide to give it a go. No pressure, just possibilities. Reach a Bigger Crowd (Way Bigger Than You Think) Teaching in person has its charm, sure—but it’s limited. Ten people in a room. Maybe twenty if it’s a workshop. But online? You might be surprised by how far your course can travel. Someone in Joburg could learn from you in the morning, and someone in Nairobi or Dublin might watch that same lesson after dinner. And the beautiful part? You don’t need to go viral. Even a small group of people finding real value in what you’re teaching is powerful. That reach compounds over time. Word spreads, reviews build, and suddenly you’ve got a student base that spans continents—even if you're just sitting at your kitchen table. Flexibility Like You’ve Probably Never Had Before This one’s big. You set the schedule. You decide when to film, when to edit, when to rest. There’s no bell ringing, no lesson plan due by 7am. You can batch-create on a Sunday afternoon or slowly chip away at it after work. Of course, there’s still effort involved. You’ll have to be disciplined, especially at first when motivation comes and goes. But the freedom to work around your life—not squeeze into someone else's—is something most traditional jobs can’t offer. You can pause when life throws curveballs, then pick things back up without needing anyone’s permission. It’s a Real Income Stream—Mostly Passive Let’s be honest: one of the biggest motivators is money. And fair enough—your time and knowledge are worth something. With online teaching, once you’ve created your course, it can keep earning in the background. You don’t have to be “on” all the time. Someone could be buying your course while you're sleeping, hiking, or standing in line for groceries. Sure, it takes upfront work. There’s no magic button. But over time, as students trickle in and sales build, you start to see the benefit of having something that keeps giving. For some people, it’s just a little extra on the side. For others, it becomes their full-time income. Either way, it starts with a single upload. Build Credibility Without Having to “Sell Yourself” Constantly There’s something powerful about being able to say, “I teach a course on that.” It positions you as someone who knows their stuff—not in a boastful way, but in a way that quietly signals experience. It’s like showing, not telling. And that credibility starts to open doors. Maybe someone invites you to speak. Maybe you get interviewed. Maybe a potential client sees your course and decides to hire you over someone else. Even if you’re not aiming to become an industry thought leader, being seen as trustworthy and knowledgeable can have ripple effects in your personal and professional life. You Get to Share the Real Stuff That School Skipped You’ve probably got a few hard-earned lessons under your belt—things no one taught you formally, but that made all the difference once you figured them out. That’s gold to someone else who’s still stuck at step one. And honestly, that’s what most people are looking for: real advice, not just textbook theory. They want to know how you approach a problem. What shortcuts you’ve learned. What to avoid. They’re not looking for perfect; they’re looking for honest. Teaching online lets you share that. You’ll Probably Learn More Than You Expect It’s strange how this works, but teaching makes you better at your own craft. When you sit down to explain something clearly, you start noticing gaps in your own thinking. You’ll catch yourself saying, “Actually… why do I do it that way?” and then find a better method. In a way, teaching is like holding a mirror to your own process. It makes you sharper. More thoughtful. And sometimes even more curious. You start to realise how much you’ve internalised—and how much more there is to explore. You’re Not Alone—There’s a Whole Community Once you start teaching online, you begin to find others doing the same. Instructors often chat in forums, comment sections, or even support groups on the same platform. This is why we created YOUnity - our very own social media platform. Sometimes you end up learning more from fellow teachers than you expected. And don’t forget your students. They’ll ask questions, offer feedback, and sometimes challenge you—in a good way. You end up learning from them too, which creates a kind of feedback loop that makes the whole experience richer. The Tech Has Gotten Much Easier Gone are the days when building an online course meant knowing how to code or edit video like a pro. These days, most platforms (like ours) offer AI assistance, drag-and-drop tools, built-in quizzes, student progress tracking, and easy upload options. You still have to be willing to learn the basics, of course—but you don’t need to be a tech wizard. If you can navigate YouTube or post on social media, you’re already halfway there. You Can Work From Anywhere (No, Really) As long as you’ve got a smartphone, tablet or a computer, and half-decent internet, you’re good. You can record from home, edit from a co-working space, or brainstorm your next module while camping in the Cederberg. Some instructors literally build their schedules around travel. It’s not always glamorous—sometimes the Wi-Fi’s bad or the coffee shop is too noisy—but the fact that you can move around and still run your teaching business? That’s worth something. A lot, actually. You Get to Make a Difference (Even If You Don’t Hear About It Right Away) Every once in a while, someone sends a message. “Hey, your course helped me land a job.” Or, “I finally understood that thing I’ve been struggling with for years.” Those messages hit differently. They remind you that the time you put in—recording, editing, doubting, uploading—meant something to someone. And even if you never hear back, there’s something fulfilling about knowing your work is out there, helping someone in ways you’ll never fully see. Quiet impact is still impact. Conclusion You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t even need to feel 100% ready. But if you’ve got something to share—something real—then this whole online instructor thing? It might be more than just a new skill. It might be a path to more freedom, more connection, and more meaning than you expected. Get started with your e-Learning by viewing our courses. When you find something you're interested in, register to purchase a course. You're welcome to register as Instructor, load a course(s) and start earning.

Anri van Rooyen

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