By Zenoyise John:
At a time when children are navigating an increasingly complex and emotionally demanding world, Norleen Zulu is standing tall as one of South Africa’s most passionate advocates for education that nurtures both the mind and heart. A transformational education leader, Founder and Director of Education Emporium, and a specialist in child development, Zulu is working tirelessly to shift the focus of education toward inclusivity, wellbeing, and long-term resilience.
Drawing from years of experience in educational leadership, early childhood development, and policy implementation, Zulu’s mission is clear: to equip children with the tools they need not just to learn – but to thrive.
“Among the many things I do, teaching children positive coping techniques is vital—especially as an alternative to harmful behaviours like self-harming,” says Zulu. “When we equip children with the tools to express and regulate their emotions, we give them a path to healing, resilience, and self-worth.”
At the heart of her work is a belief that social-emotional learning should be foundational in all early education environments. Through Education Emporium, Zulu leads a range of programs focused on both literacy and mental health – including the acclaimed Read & Bloom Literacy + Emotional Wellbeing Programme, which empowers preschoolers with the emotional vocabulary and tools to understand and express what they feel.
“A big part of my work is helping children learn to identify and name their feelings,” she explains. “When children can say, ‘I feel sad’ or ‘I’m frustrated,’ they begin to take control of their emotional world. It’s the first step toward healthy coping and emotional resilience.”
Zulu offers schools and educators practical coping strategies for children, including deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, drawing, movement, and gratitude practice. She encourages the use of emotion charts, calm-down corners, and storytelling to help children build self-awareness and inner calm.
Her work is rooted in research, compassion, and an unwavering belief that education must evolve to meet the full spectrum of a child’s needs – academic, emotional, and social.
With a growing national footprint, professional connections across the education and policy sectors, and recognition from local news outlets, Zulu continues to lead with vision and empathy. Her voice is not only shaping schools but helping to build a generation of children who are emotionally aware, mentally resilient, and ready to face the world with confidence.-@NewsSA_Online
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