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In a small classroom in the Southern Peninsula, a child carefully draws a self-portrait. There are eyes, ears, fingers and tiny details that may seem ordinary to most people.
But for the teachers at iThemba School, these small moments are extraordinary.
Principal Nickyi Morris remembers when some children arrived and couldn't draw self-portraits at all. They weren't matching the developmental milestones of many children their age. However, that's where Nicky and her dedicated team come in with focused support, patience and encouragement. As a result, those same children are now producing colourful drawings, strengthening their fine motor skills and, importantly, discovering confidence in their own abilities.
It's the very reason why iThemba exists.
This Youth Month, as South Africa reflects on the power and potential of its young people, iThemba School stands as a reminder that unlocking a child's future begins long before they enter high school or make career choices. It begins with safety, nutrition, care and a strong educational foundation.
Located in Fish Hoek, iThemba provides early childhood education to around 60 children from Masiphumelele, Ocean View, and surrounding communities, from the age of three through to Grade R.
"For many of our children, this is their safe space. They come here every day knowing they are cared for, fed and encouraged to believe in their own potential."
The name iThemba means "hope" in isiXhosa, and that vision is woven into every part of the school day.
More than just a classroom
For many families, the school provides far more than education.
An estimated 23% of children in South Africa live in severe child food poverty, placing them at significantly higher risk of life-threatening malnutrition and developmental challenges, according to a UNICEF study done in 2024. Sadly, it is the reality many families at iThemba face, but daily they look to provide some hope.
Parents contribute R500 a month towards school fees, a contribution that helps create a sense of commitment and ownership, adds Principal Nicky.
Yet the reality is that it only covers a portion of what the school provides these children with daily:
- Breakfast every morning
- A nutritious cooked lunch
- Two daily snacks
- Individualised educational support
- A safe and nurturing environment
"We don't want to have 40 children with one teacher. We are very privileged to have smaller classes, each with a teacher and an assistant. We want every child to have the attention, care and opportunities they deserve."
Maintaining that level of care means the school continually relies on community support, donors and partnerships.
A brighter future powered by community
One of the latest examples of that support comes from sustainable energy company Samsam, which stepped in after learning that iThemba's electricity bill had reached approximately R3,500 a month, a cost that continues to rise.
After understanding the work being done at the school, Samsam's founders, Jan David Kleppe and Wouter Voois, committed to funding two-thirds of a solar installation project. The remaining amount was raised through crowdfunding, with the school community also hosting fundraising initiatives that contributed R10,000.
Another supporter from Atlantic Beach donated the inverter and batteries.
With the crowdfunding goal reached at the beginning of June, the solar system is due to be installed during the upcoming school holidays and will save the school thousands of rand each month. This money will then be redirected towards the costs of feeding the children, supporting teachers and creating a richer learning environment, adds Nicky.
It is a powerful example of what happens when businesses and communities come together, but Nikki says the work is far from over.
The next chapter of hope
There are always new projects waiting.
The school hopes to build a bicycle track where children can play and develop movement skills, expand its jungle gym to support sensory and vestibular development, and install climbing bars to help strengthen the muscles children need for writing and physical development.
The biggest dream is still ahead: establishing a primary school on land already zoned for education, allowing iThemba to continue supporting children beyond Grade R and carry its values of nurture, individual attention and opportunity into the next stage of their education.
For Nicky, every donation, partnership, and volunteer contributes to something much larger than a building or a project: it contributes to a child believing in their own potential.
This Youth Month, iThemba's message is simple: South Africa's future is shaped not only by the young people who will lead tomorrow, but by the communities willing to invest in them today.
Get in touch if you can offer support to iThemba School, or reach out to Sam Sam Solar if you need help with a community project that can leave a lasting impact.