Edtech company Snapplify has acquired Onnie Media / Teacha! – an educator media hub for South African teachers.

According to a statement by the company, the acquisition further diversifies its educational portfolio, and solidifies its position as a contender in the global e-learning market.

The move follows on the heels of a US$2-million expansion capital raise into Snapplify late last year, backed by Knife Capital and Hlayisani Growth Fund.

Onnie Media / Teacha! is described as South Africa’s largest independent online teacher community that specialises in empowering, inspiring, and uplifting South African teachers.

‘Onnie Media’s primary goal has been to empower, inspire, and support South African teachers by building platforms that enable teachers to help one another,’ said founder and CEO of Onnie Media, Jean Vermeulen. ‘We’re proud to have built a network of teachers that embraces the power of online communities to support each other. As teachers ourselves, we see the role of supporting teachers as a critical and important one, and are pleased to be joining a company that holds these same values. We’re excited for the next phase of our growth, and to be reaching teachers across Africa.’

Snapplify CEO Wesley Lynch said: ‘We believe that successful digital education in classrooms requires more than a simple switch from physical to digital textbooks. Expanding our offering to include teacher support tools is crucially important to us, and we’re pleased to have Teacha! join the Snapplify Group to further this mission.’

‘The acquisition of Onnie Media / Teacha! by Snapplify is an exciting one,’ said Andrea Bohmert of Knife Capital, and chairman of Snapplify’s board. ‘Snapplify is on a powerful upwards trajectory, growing both its reach and offering for schools, teachers, students, and parents.’

‘Both Snapplify and Teacha! are doing incredible work to reach and support South African teachers, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of these two partners,’ said Michael Jordaan, ex-CEO of FNB and Venture Capitalist investor in Snapplify.