12/08/2026
THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS OF LAKE FARM CENTRE (Part 3)
The Camphill Movement gained major ground in South Africa during the late 1950s and early 1960s. At its heart was "Anthroposophy"—the spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner—which provided the framework for the movement's unique curative education principles.
Dr Karl Kӧnig, a driving force behind the international Camphill Movement, personally visited South Africa to support these initiatives. During his time at the Lake Farm Camphill Community in Port Elizabeth, he even penned a heartfelt poem dedicated entirely to the local children.
A prominent champion of this philosophy was local businessman Basil Gibaud, whose family ran the historic Port Elizabeth footwear and leather manufacturer, Bagshaw, Gibaud & Co. Backed by his factory's success, Basil became involved in establishing the Centre. Together with his wife, Minnie, he also founded the Eastern Cape branch of the Anthroposophical Society.
Following Basil's meetings with Dr König in South Africa, a wave of trained teachers arrived at Lake Farm. They introduced a dedicated "life-sharing" ethos, setting up the community's very first wood and craft workshops while completely embedding their daily domestic lives with the residents. However, this initial international presence at Lake Farm was relatively short-lived.
A major turning point came in 1971. The Rudolf Steiner Centre Aid Association (later renamed the Lake Farm Centre Aid Association) stepped away from the international Camphill Movement to achieve administrative independence. It was at this point that the organization officially changed its name to Lake Farm Centre.
Stepping out on its own allowed the Centre to aggressively pursue localized corporate funding and state subsidies, all while intentionally preserving its core therapeutic mission. Ultimately, the local committee—influenced by Basil Gibaud’s highly practical business mindset—favoured a localized, non-denominational structure that could secure long-term financial backing from the government and local businesses.
Today, Basil Gibaud’s incredible legacy continues to thrive. Beyond the footprints left at Lake Farm, his name is preserved through the Basil Gibaud Memorial Library hosted by the Anthroposophical Society in the Western Cape in Cape Town, as well as the Johannesburg branch. Serving as vital hubs for Rudolf Steiner's works, these institutions continue to expand their collections year after year, fully funded by the generous annual contributions of the Basil Gibaud Memorial Trust.
Newsletters of the South African Anthroposophical Society contain references to people who were involved at the Lake Farm Camphill Community.
