Christel House South Africa launches fundraising campaign to build a new no-fee school in the Western Cape by January 2027
Christel House SA launches fundraising campaign to build a new no-fee school in the Western Cape by January 2027
Christel House South Africa, a non-profit school and public-benefit organisation that provides no-fee scholarships to 906 vulnerable children from 29 of Cape Town’s most under-resourced communities, has announced an ambitious fundraising campaign to establish a new Grade RR–12 school in the Western Cape.
The campaign was officially launched at an investor briefing event hosted at Wesgro’s offices in Cape Town’s CBD yesterday, where the Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier and Business Strategy and Stakeholder Management Director, Ashley Roman, shared key insights into the province’s educational challenges and the urgent need for accessible, high-quality schooling.
Adri Marais, CEO of Christel House South Africa, together with the President and CEO of Christel House International, David Harris, presented the school’s expansion strategy and led an engaging discussion on how stakeholder and donor partners can support this vision through financial investment, service contributions, and sponsorships.
Edu Invest, powered by Wesgro, is committed to attracting investment into education. "We could not be more proud to partner with Christel House in this project, as we believe that a thriving economy starts in the classroom," says Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander.
"The future prosperity of our country depends on developing a well-educated, skilled, and adaptable workforce-one that can meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy," says Stander.
She further adds: "Government funding alone cannot meet the growing demand for quality education. This is where the private sector has an opportunity to step in, offering financial resources, expertise, and innovative solutions that benefit both education and the broader economy."
With education funding taking centre stage as the country approaches its postponed budget speech, the timing of this campaign is more critical than ever.
“We see independent and donor-funded schools as partners in facing the challenges of improving learning outcomes and expanding access to education in the Western Cape. Our province will need to add over 100 000 new places for learners in our schools by 2030 despite severe budget constraints, and the results our independent schools achieve speak for themselves – they can provide quality education and the hope of a better future to learners in poor communities.
We are exploring new ways to support private investment into education in the Western Cape, and to support the work that Christel House is doing to break the cycle of poverty for our children,” says Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department.
Christel House International, which operates nine schools worldwide—including Christel House South Africa, established in 2001 as its only African campus—has pledged to invest R100 million into the local expansion project. This investment is a crucial step in the organisation’s mission to expand its footprint and impact in the Western Cape and across South Africa and is inviting local financial and supplier partners to help make it a reality. The first phase of the new school is expected to welcome its inaugural intake of students by January 2027.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Western Cape Education Department, Wesgro, and our investor partners to establish a second Christel House school in the Western Cape where it is most needed. This school will serve as a vital safety net for children from under-resourced communities, ensuring they have access to the transformative education and holistic support they deserve,” said Adri Marais, CEO of Christel House South Africa.
Opportunities for Partnerships & Donor Recognition
Christel House is actively seeking partnerships with trusts, foundations, corporate donors, and individuals committed to investing in education and social development. As part of this initiative, key areas of the new building will offer naming rights, providing donors with the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
A Transformative Model for Education and Social Impact
The Christel House model is designed to break the cycle of poverty through a unique, character-based, and career-focused approach. Beyond providing a high-quality education, the school ensures students receive comprehensive social support, including daily transport, professional healthcare services, two nutritious meals and snacks per day, psycho-social counselling, family assistance, and five years of college and career support after matriculation. This holistic approach addresses the multifaceted needs of both students and their families, significantly improving long-term outcomes.
Only 3% of Christel House South Africa alumni fall into the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) category—well below the national average of 42%.
“Through our transformative model, a single Christel House school has the power to create a lasting, sustainable future for generations to come,” said Marais. “We have witnessed firsthand how children from communities like Manenberg and Langa have gone on to become doctors, educators, software developers, and digital marketers. Our mantra, ‘From Classrooms to Life,’ is about more than just careers—it reflects our deep commitment to ensuring successful life outcomes, economic mobility, and responsible citizenship. With this new school, we can double our impact and create even more inspiring success stories.”
Christel House South Africa is expanding its transformative education model to empower even more young minds. To learn more or support this mission, please contact:
Lara Black
Fundraiser & Marketing Director
lblack@sa.christelhouse.org / 021-704-9407 / 083 326 1168
