Nansindlela School is situated within the community of Ingwavuma, a remote mountainous area in Northern Kwazulu-Natal. (See Ingwavuma Location Map). Most of the Ingwavuma district’s 100 000 inhabitants do not have access to electricity or piped water. Historically the area was a rich source of cheap labour for the mining industry with mine salaries then being the main source of income in the community. Unemployment in the area is now very high and job opportunities few. Poverty is widespread, particularly in the villages further away from Ingwavuma town. Those with permanent or temporary posts are to be found in Government services such as the Police Force, Army, Welfare Department or Health Service and in the local bank and shops. These represent a small minority of the population, the remainder subsisting on what they are able to grow for themselves, occasionally poorly paid, casual employment and the pensions of the elderly members of the extended family.

Our History

Nansindlela School was founded in 1993 out of the vision of 3 women: a missionary, a doctor’s wife and a high school teacher who, having recently arrived in the area soon discovered that the majority of her learners struggled to understand English. They therefore expressed a desire to start an English-medium primary school. The local community responded enthusiastically and so the school was born. It was initially housed in the missionary’s garage but eventually moved into the first three classrooms, funded by the DG Murray Trust.

Since then the school has grown to 2 pre-school classes and instruction from grades 1 to 11 for 455 learners. It is housed in 13 classrooms, a science lab and a library that have been built entirely with private funding even though Nansindlela is a state school.

Parents welcomed the use of English as the medium of instruction as they feel that their children are disadvantaged in the matric (school-leaving) exams by having to cope with an English question paper and also because of the obvious benefits of fluency in a global language. Testimony to the standard of education provided at the school is the significant number of learners whose parents are principals of other local schools as well as the academic success achieved by past Nansindlela learners in urban schools.

One of the most significant contributors to Nansindlela's success over the years has been the involvement of highly qualified outsiders who have given up far more lucrative careers to support the vision of the school.  We have also been supported by volunteers from within and without South Africa, in particular GAP year students from the UK, who have assisted with teaching and extra-mural activities.

If you would like to find out how you can assist us in achieving this vision...click here.