The vibrant campus of Christel House South Africa (CHSA) was pulsating with music, poetry and profound reflection today as learners, staff, and leadership gathered for a special assembly on Wednesday 21 October.
The school came together to celebrate Founder’s Day, marking the birthday of its late founder, Christel DeHaan, whose visionary philanthropy launched the school 25 years ago.
The milestone celebration coincided with a historic step forward for the institution: the symbolic handover of keys to the brand-new high-school building, signalling the first phases of a major expansion designed to bring life-changing educational opportunities to more families in the surrounding areas.
Honouring legacy
The morning assembly served as both a tribute to DeHaan’s memory and a reinforcement of the core values that define the school’s culture.
Reflecting on the enduring nature of DeHaan’s vision, Chief Academic Officer Dr Ronald Fortune addressed the assembly to highlight why celebrating the founder’s life remains vital for the institution’s future.
“I was asked why it is important for us to celebrate the legacy of Christel DeHaan,” Fortune said. “My answer is simple: the values underpinning her vision and her life are worth learning from, living by and passing on. Our children are taught to give back to their communities and to pay it forward, just as Christel did.”
Fortune emphasised that DeHaan’s philosophy extended beyond academic excellence to deep human empathy. “She taught us to be grateful. I remember her reminding us that gratitude leaves little room for disgruntlement and changes how we treat our fellow human beings. She believed in making room for others at the table of life. That belief asks something of us: to create opportunities for others and to recognise that they, too, deserve a place.”
Inspiring the next generation
The event featured heartfelt reminiscences from long-serving staff. Junior School Principal Carol Kriel, who has been an integral part of Christel House South Africa since its inception, shared personal memories of the founder’s regular visits to the Cape Town campus. She vividly recalled how DeHaan would meticulously visit classrooms, taking the time to interact directly with the children whose lives were being transformed by her generosity.
The school’s executive leadership, including CEO Adri Marais and Fortune, challenged the students to internalise these lessons. They reminded the assembly that DeHaan expected students to “work hard, even as they play hard,” balancing joy with effort and personal responsibility.
The highlight of the morning came when high-school principal Nasar Harris joined Marais on stage for a symbolic key handover celebrating the completion of the new high-school infrastructure. The moment visualised the physical growth of DeHaan’s dream, opening doors for expanded enrolment.
“We want our impact to reach beyond the children enrolled at Christel House South Africa,” Fortune said. “We believe that what we are learning through our work has value for the country. We are making inroads, and our ambition is to contribute at a national level. That means sharing what works, being honest about what remains difficult, and helping other schools apply approaches that can improve children’s lives.”
As the school embarks on its expansion it seeks to actively inform national educational policies by providing proven, data-backed models of holistic child development.
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