"Your SADTU Has Become a Joke": SA Man Slams Teachers for Becoming Social Media Influencers

• A man in South Africa has sparked controversy with his comments about modern-day teachers, criticising them for prioritising social media over their primary role as educators
• The individual expressed concerns that some teachers are exploiting their students for personal gain on platforms like TikTok, rather than focusing on teaching and being role models
• The man's remarks have ignited a heated debate online, with some people supporting his views and others arguing that social media can be a valuable tool for education when used responsibly

A man in South Africa made controversial remarks regarding the teachers of the 21st century that sparked a massive buzz online.

The clip that was shared on TikTok by @imhakayamani shows the guy passionately expressing his concerns as he criticised teachers for using their pupils as content for TikTok videos.

Man calls out teachers for using kids as TikTok content

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In a video making the rounds on social media, the man expressed concern that some educators in rural areas are turning their classrooms into platforms for entertainment rather than focusing on their primary duty, teaching. He claimed that certain teachers are allegedly exploiting pupils, especially in underprivileged communities, to grow their own social media followings.

"Teachers are dancers on TikTok. They have become influencers. You have SADTU (South African Democratic Teachers' Union) members who are influencers, using the poor children in the rural areas and townships to create content. Your SADTU has become a joke," said the man in a candid interview.

He went as far as to say that educators have "lost the stage" of being teachers. He added that many of them may have forgotten what it means to be a teacher.

"You are a role model. You ask yourself when children start beating them," he shared.

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The man further compared the current situation to what he described as “back in the day,” when teachers commanded respect and authority. However, he accused some modern-day educators of crossing moral lines, alleging that there are now cases where teachers are romantically involved with their pupils.

"When they have these problems, where the children start sleeping with the teachers. Because they see them as equals. We were scared of our teachers, because we saw them even older, but when we looked at them, some of them were student teachers, which means they were 20 or 21, but how they upheld themselves, we gave them the respect as if they were way older than us."

He then expressed how the current teachers have lost respect and dignity. The man's remarks, which were published on 6 August 2025, have ignited mixed reactions online. While some users supported his views, saying teachers should be role models and not entertainers, others argued that social media could be a useful educational tool when used responsibly.

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Watch the video below:

SA weighs in on the man's thoughts

The online community flooded the comments section, sharing their thoughts on the man's take on calling teachers influencers.

Moshobane Aubrey said:

"Being a Teacher doesn’t mean that you should not live."

PATRIOT wrote:

"Finally, someone said it."

Uzamantungwakhumalo expressed:

"Did he also mention that those teachers produce a 100% pass rate."

Penuel the Black Pen stated:

"Teachers must dance and sing as much as they want. They can be influencers too. Let's not bunch this with incompetent teachers who are useless. That's not fair."

KaMashobane replied:

"I prefer those TikTok teachers, shame, our teachers were cruel back in the day."

Herry commented:

"He is right!"

More teacher and learner heartwarming stories

• Briefly News reported that in a video making rounds online, an educator in Mzansi and her pupils left South Africans with warm and fuzzy feelings.
• A group of thoughtful pupils went above and beyond for their teacher as they sweetly surprised him.
• A teacher in South Africa has gone viral for confidently embracing her inner diva with the help of her learners, in a moment that left social media in stitches and admiration.

Source: Briefly News