Focus on iThemba

01/11/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated a very special achievement. 💛

Congratulations to Busi Khumalo, our ECD Monitor, who graduated yesterday with a Diploma in Early Childhood Development.

This qualification represents so much more than a certificate. It reflects Busi’s determination, diligence and the many hours of work she has invested in growing her knowledge and strengthening the contribution she makes to early childhood development.

Busi already brings immense value to our ECD Education Programme through her years of teaching experience, her understanding of the field and the beautiful relationships she has built with the teachers and principals of our partner pre-schools - relationships grounded in trust, rapport and respect.

We are incredibly proud of her and excited to see how the skills and knowledge gained through this qualification will continue to strengthen the support she offers to the schools and teachers she walks alongside. 💙

Well done, Busi. This achievement is so well deserved.

28/10/2026

When teachers are given opportunities to grow, that learning finds its way back into the classroom. 💛

Seven teachers from our partner pre-schools recently took part in a one-day workshop with UMFUNDI Education, exploring creative ways to bring classroom themes to life.

From building engaging theme tables to introducing themes in meaningful ways and developing practical activity ideas, the training encouraged our teachers to think differently about how children experience and engage with learning.

We place great value on opportunities like these because strong early learning begins with equipped, inspired teachers. Every new idea, skill and approach strengthens the learning environments our children are part of and helps build the foundations they will carry forward.

We are grateful to UMFUNDI Education for another valuable day of learning, and to our teachers for continuing to show up with curiosity, commitment and a willingness to grow. 💙

27/10/2026

A meaningful step forward for Parenting With Purpose in Knysna.

This weekend marked an exciting milestone as we hosted our first Parenting With Purpose facilitator orientation workshop in Knysna, bringing together a wonderful group of individuals interested in helping us extend the reach and impact of the programme within the community.

Over three days, the group had the opportunity to explore not only the content of Parenting With Purpose, but also the heart behind it - the values on which it has been built, the purpose it hopes to serve and the importance of creating a safe, supportive space where parents can grow in confidence.

Noluthando Moshesh, our independant Master Trainer, guided the group through the programme, sharing her knowledge, wisdom and experience while offering valuable insight into the responsibilities, values and expectations that come with facilitating this meaningful journey.

For us, this weekend was about laying strong foundations, building meaningful connections and taking another important step towards seeing Parenting With Purpose take shape in Knysna.

We are deeply encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm shown and grateful for the opportunity to continue stewarding this journey with care, purpose and hope.

22/10/2026

Showing up is a powerful thing. 💛

On Wednesday, 21 October, 40 parents came together at Bongani Pre-School for a special information evening introducing our new Parenting With Purpose Programme.

It was especially encouraging to welcome parents from both Bongani and the wider community, all choosing to take a step towards strengthening their relationships with their children and growing in confidence as parents.

We are deeply encouraged by the enthusiasm and willingness they showed. It is a privilege to walk alongside them on this journey, and we look forward with great anticipation to seeing the impact of Parenting With Purpose unfold within the Bongani community in the weeks ahead.

A special thank you to Noluthando Moshesh, our Master Trainer for Parenting With Purpose, for sharing the heart of the programme and guiding parents through this first introduction. 💙

To find out more about Parenting With Purpose, visit www.focusonithemba.org.

🌐 www.focusonithemba.org
✉️ [email protected]
📞 +27 31 710 1800

21/10/2026

Yesterday marked the beginning of one final stretch for two very special young women. 💙

Our two iThemba Scholars begin their matric final exams today, and it is difficult to put into words what a privilege it has been to walk alongside them for the past 13 years.

We have watched them grow, learn, overcome, persevere and become the remarkable young women they are today. The grit, determination and quiet courage they have shown over the years have brought them to this moment, and we could not be prouder.

As they step into these final exams, we hope they carry with them the confidence of knowing just how far they have come, and how much possibility still lies ahead.
To our scholars, and to the Waterfall College Class of 2026, we wish you calm minds, steady hearts and every success for the weeks ahead. 💛

You have worked hard for this moment. Now go and give it your very best.

16/10/2026

Today, we’re celebrating our very own Tayla Goss. 💙

For 11 years, Tayla has been part of the Focus on iThemba journey, bringing energy, heart, humour and a wonderful ability to keep a lot of moving parts moving in the same direction.

As our Executive Director and Team Leader, Tayla somehow manages to keep an eye on the bigger picture while still noticing the people, conversations and little details that matter along the way.

She is quick to encourage, ready to problem-solve, always willing to make a connection and never far from cheering someone else on.

And while there is plenty of purpose behind everything she does, there is also plenty of personality - which is just one of the reasons we are so grateful to have her at the heart of our team.

Happy Boss’s Day, Tayla! 💛

Thank you for believing in us, encouraging us and bringing so much heart to the work we share.

And, perhaps most impressively, for making it all look far more manageable than it probably is. 😉

14/10/2026

There are moments that quietly mark the beginning of something very special. 💛

Today, we welcomed the two Grade 4 scholars who will be joining our Scholars Programme next year to campus for their uniform fitting.

What may seem like a simple fitting carried so much meaning. For these girls and their families, it marked the start of a beautiful new journey, and the gratitude shared with us was deeply humbling. Both families spoke of what this opportunity means to them, and it was a privilege to share in a moment filled with such hope and possibility.

The girls’ excitement was impossible to miss, and seeing their joy reminded us again of the heart behind this programme. Behind every uniform is a child with a name, a story and a future we are honoured to walk alongside. 💙

We look forward to welcoming them officially next year and to all that this new chapter will hold.

13/10/2026

It is a joy to see another meaningful chapter beginning at Forest Edge Schools. 💙

As Forest Edge continues to grow its College and extend the educational journey available to families in Knysna, we congratulate Graham Bennetts on his appointment as the new Head of College and Acting Head of School.

With Grade 9 being introduced in 2027, Grade 10 in 2028 and the school working towards its first IEB matric cohort in 2030, there is so much to look forward to as this next chapter unfolds.

For Focus on iThemba, it has been a privilege to support this journey by helping steward the spaces Forest Edge calls home - spaces that continue to fill with children, learning, growth and possibility.

We celebrate this exciting appointment with the Forest Edge community and look forward to seeing the wisdom, experience and heart Graham brings to this important season of growth.

Congratulations, Graham. We wish you every success as you help shape the future of Forest Edge College. 💛

Introducing Graham Bennetts, Head of College and Acting Head of School, starting Term 4. Developing our College is an important next step in Forest Edge's growth – as we add Grade 9 in 2027, Grade 10 in 2028, and work toward our first IEB matric cohort in 2030, strong senior leadership matters more than ever. Graham brings extensive leadership experience: Executive Head of Reddam House Helderfontein, Campus Head of IIE's Varsity College, and Deputy Headmaster of Maritzburg College – across whole-school leadership, academics, strategy, staff development and safeguarding. What stood out to us: Graham understands we're building a school, not simply managing an established one. Welcome, Graham – we can't wait to see how you shape the future of our growing high school.

11/10/2026

This week 11 teachers from our partner pre-schools have taken part in fire-fighting training facilitated by MSL.

The course focused on the fundamental principles and practices of fire-fighting, with practical learning around how these can be applied within a school environment. For our ECD schools, this kind of training forms an important part of building greater Health & Safety awareness and preparedness.

At Focus on iThemba, we believe in equipping teachers with knowledge and skills that support every part of the environment children learn and grow in - from the way they are nurtured, to the way they are kept safe.

We are grateful for opportunities like these that continue to strengthen our schools, build confidence in our teachers and support safer spaces for the children in their care. 💙

🌐 www.focusonithemba.org
✉️ [email protected]
📞 +27 31 710 1800