Our front-page highlights students at our new High School construction site, showcasing the potential for their future in the building and construction industry.
Chad Abrahams, an alumnus and now a Structural Building Information Modeler, is a prime example of how dreams can become reality. As a Civil Draughtsperson, Chad creates detailed 3D models and technical drawings for civil structures. He, along with others, demonstrate that our mission to enable our learners to achieve upward economic mobility, and that a positive life outcome is achievable.
Our new tagline, “From Classrooms to Life,” reflects our dedication to empowering students for lasting success as responsible and invested citizens of the world. With support from our donor partners, we will be increasing our footprint and impact by building our new High School and opening a new no fee Grade RR-12 school (2027 - 2029). Our expansion strategy will not only empower more learners but will ultimately transform the futures of children and families living in severely under-served communities in the Western Cape and beyond as we hope to open a third school in Gauteng in 2029.
Vision
A world where poverty does not limit potential
Mission
Christel House prepares graduates to achieve upward economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship, and become empowered to identify and realise their goals, dreams, and human potential.
Swallowcliffe Drive, Ottery, Cape Town, South Africa, 7800
Phone: +27 21 704 9400
Email: info@sa.christelhouse.org
NPO number: 017-044 NPO | PBO number: 130001018 | NPC number: 2001/012349/08 | 100% Black beneficiary base
OCEO’S YEAR IN REVIEW
ur year always starts with the excitement of awaiting the matric results and a few weeks later, the provincial benchmarking results of Grades 3, 6 and 9 in Mathematics and English. We are proud of our 95% matric pass rate, 64% of whom did so with a Bachelor’s pass (a higher quality pass allows entry into university studies). 95% of all alumni are in education, employment or training and in 2024, 23 alumni completed their degrees – congratulations! The provincial benchmarking tests once again had us average over 90% pass rates with individual performances averaging over 80%.
The year progressed with the high paced, high-pressure regularity we have come to expect and all of it happened while we introduced a rebrand with a new logo and vibrant colours reflective of our hope for the future.
Our Robotics teams excelled at the provincial World Robot Olympiad and three teams qualified to compete at national level. We feel privileged that our Microsoft Showcase status, our STEM focus, our droning and coding, and our 1:1 Dell device ratio are doing so much to foster a culture of tech excellence at our school. Our character programmes, like Build our Boys continued to strengthen the foundation of our children’s wellbeing.
For the past five years we have built a reputation for doing more, widening our reach and impact. 2024 was no different. After four years, our Simunye programme, where we bring children together across the wealth divide, concluded with an Indaba where best practices in building social capital
were shared and identified. In addition, Youth Bridge, our youth unemployment programme, successfully completed six courses providing 180 youth with the ability, agency and opportunity to take their seat at the table of life.
In last year’s Annual Report, we promised that we would have our eyes set firmly on addressing the critical shortage of learner places in the Western Cape. Throughout 2024, in addition to a packed year, our strategy to open a second high school on our existing Campus remained high on our agenda. Our lives were filled with architects, dream boards, engineers, student recruitment and new teacher interviews. Late in the year, the Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier joined us to turn the first sods as we broke ground for the construction. I’m thrilled to confirm that we welcomed 60 new Grade 8 learners in January 2025, as part of our initial enrolment of learners in our new High School and we continue to celebrate each new milestone in its ongoing construction.
As we reflect on our blessings for the last financial year, we remain profoundly grateful to our Founder, the late Christel DeHaan, and to all our donor partners, volunteers, supporters and friends who contribute to our legacy-building mission of changing lives and futures. We remain committed to a year of expansion, driving us to support more learners, their families and communities, as we successfully transition them, from classrooms to life
Adri Marais, Chief Executive Officer Christel House SA
SCALE
CHAIR REPORT
Christel House conversations over the past couple of years have been dominated by expansion, by widening our impact, by the concept of needing to do more.
Christel House is special, but it is not unique. The impact we make on the lives of our learners and surrounding communities is profound, but there are others out there doing similar things. What unites so many of us is the realisation that it is not sufficient to make enough of a difference.
SCALE | NOUN
The size or level of something, especially when it is large.
The problem is enormous. There will be an additional 106 500 learners to serve by 2030 in the Western Cape. Our province also has a much lower proportion of independent schools than other provinces. Stories abound of overcrowded classrooms, pit latrines, budget cuts and a lack of teachers and resources. Whilst the matric results in themselves are applauded, what they hide is the devaluation of the qualification in recent years and the sad fact that only 50% of students complete the journey from Grade 1 to 12.
SCALE | VERB
To climb to or over the top of something high and/or steep.
Christel House’s approach to overcome some of those challenges has been a focus on early education
development, nutrition in schools, a broad curriculum, extensive counselling and support for the leaners, and uncompromising focus on the quality of our teachers and their tools of the trade.
We strive to be a beacon that shines in a sea of challenges and mediocrity. To really make a difference we have to expand and replicate the model we have – building more schools and creating more capacity for learners hungry to succeed and make a difference.
SCALE | NOUN
A set of marks, lines or numbers, used for measuring something.
Management inspects what it expects. Christel House is laying down some markers and metrics. As we open our second High School this year at Ottery, which will ultimately double our Grade 8 to 12 capacity, we have already set ambitious targets for the building of our second Grade RR - 12 school.
At Christel House we are prepared to lead the way, challenging ourselves and others to get better at tackling these challenges and making a difference. Join the journey with us and see what new heights we can scale together.
Ian Russell, Chair Christel House SA
OUR REBRAND
We now have a refreshed logo, vibrant new colours, and a user-friendly, contemporary website that we hope makes becoming a partner that much more compelling.
The Christel House brand redesign began with interviews and surveys involving Christel House school leaders, staff, alumni, and supporters. They described Christel House as “transformative, innovative, successful, compassionate, and nurturing.”
Since Christel House is expanding and entering a new era, over 90% of respondents felt the timing was perfect for a new look that honours our Founder, the late Christel DeHaan. Just like the students we serve worldwide, our new look is bright, happy, and bold. It’s a modern look infused with all the care and love that Christel House represents. While our external image has evolved, our essence remains the same – Christel House is dedicated to empowering children from underresourced communities to realise their full potential.
Get involved or partner with our school, visit: https:// sa.christelhouse.org/support-us/, or scan the QR code on the left.
*Our rebrand was funded by the Founder's bequest to the organisation.
OUR IMPACT IN 2024
GRADE 12 PASS RATE OF ALUMNI ARE EMPLOYED, STUDYING OR DOING BOTH
GRADE 12 ACADEMIC SUBJECT DISTINCTIONS
GRADE 12 BACHELOR’S PASS RATE
STUDENT ATTENDANCE RATE
GRADE RR-12 YEAR-TO-YEAR RETENTION RATE CURRENT ALUMNI COHORT ABOVE THE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL POVERTY RATE
ALUMNI POST-SECONDARY
STUDY PERSISTENCE RATE OF FAMILIES ENGAGED IN AT LEAST ONE ACTIVITY AT SCHOOL EXCEEDED PROVINCIAL AVERAGES BY UP TO 49%
OUR MODEL
At no cost to students or their families, we enable learning by providing poverty mitigation services that support whole-child development.
K–12 quality, characterbased and careerfocused education
Two nutritious meals and snacks per day
Christel House SA delivers on eight of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
SCHOLARSHIP COST PER STUDENT FOR 2025
*25% of these costs are covered by Christel House International.
ORGANISATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mandela Day
Over 100 individuals, including staff from our generous donor and partner organisations, dedicated their time to give back to our school for Mandela Day (18 July). Volunteers came together to prepare sandwiches and engage in exciting art and game activities.
In addition to the Mandela Day activities, we also executed a fundraising campaign for school uniforms, raising R42 500. This provided 47 students with uniforms.
ABOVE: Our leadership team celebrating our incredible achievement as the top 10 schools in the world in the overcoming adversity category.
Nominated as one of the World’s Best Schools
Category: Overcoming Adversity
We were delighted to be nominated as one of ten finalists in this competition! This international event helps to bring together schools from across the globe to help to build capacity, strengthen processes and mentor school managers and teachers to provide global best practice education to their students. We received incredible support from prominent figures and influencers, including Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier, and local celebrated comedians, Marc Lottering, and Ndumiso Lindi, to name but a few.
Special Assembly
Over 200 donors, partners and friends attended our annual Special Assembly in November 2024. The event theme, “A Time to Blossom,” highlighted our expansion, including the addition of a new High School on our Campus in 2025.
Aluta and Baphelele, two of our incredible students, welcomed guests as our MCs for the day. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant art exhibition showcasing student creativity, a face painting station, lively music and dance performances, and a robotics demonstration that left everyone in awe. The selfie area captured smiles and memories, making the day even more special.
Key moments included an inspiring speech from our CEO, Adri Marais, a powerful call to action from our Board Chair, Ian Russell, heartfelt awards presented by our Chief Academic Officer and Principals, as well as a special performance by two of our alumni.
Buckets of Hope campaign
We launched our annual Buckets of Hope Campaign again last year, to support our families during the December break.
While our students receive nutritious meals during the school year, the holidays are especially challenging for our learners and their families. With each R350 donation, a “Bucket of Hope” is filled with essential non-perishable foods and treats to help vulnerable families during this time.
Thanks to the generous donations from supporters and the public, we raised R320 000 and were able to distribute 840 buckets to our students and store 60 for emergencies in winter 2025.
SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Robotics – the way of the future
We had the honour of hosting the Provincial World Olympiad for the second time last year. The event brought together over 300 talented students from right across the Western Cape who showcased their robotics skills, engaged in problem-solving and had a fantastic time competing. Our teams achieved outstanding results, securing 1st and 3rd places in the Explorer Prime category and 2nd place in the Robo Mission Senior category. They went on to participate in the national competition in Johannesburg.
Music
One of the central pieces in our education model is providing our children with a wide range of opportunities, including exposure to the arts. We believe that such exposure is essential to fostering well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens.
We are thrilled to report that our school’s combined jazz band was selected as one of only 12 schools to perform at the School Band Concert, part of the prestigious Artscape Youth Jazz Series in June 2024. This was a significant achievement, showcasing the talent and dedication of our students. The 14-member band successfully auditioned for the event, where they performed both vocally and with various instruments, including the trumpet, drums, and keyboard.
Tablet Donation
In June 2024, Christel House SA donated 40 re-purposed Dell tablets to one of our Simunye partner schools, Die Duine Primary, demonstrating our commitment to widening impact. Previously, Die Duine Primary (a no-fee school) had a computer lab with only 27 working computers for class sizes of nearly 40 students each. This made incorporating modern technology into lessons very challenging. The pay-itforward donation of tablets has greatly enhanced the school’s productivity. It has provided more e-learning opportunities and is supporting the educational growth of Die Duine’s students.
Build our Boys
We held our annual Build Our Boys event in March 2024. The goal of the programme is to empower our boys with the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities and the
Math Olympiad
Our Grade 3 - 7 learners achieved an impressive 8th place out of 225 schools in the Standard Bank Matific Maths Olympiad, the world’s largest online competition for primary school students. Held from 29 July to 2 August 2024, the event attracted over 30 000 participants. The Olympiad turned learning into an exciting adventure, with students navigating through adventure islands, interacting with various characters, and completing levels on different mathematics topics. The focus was on accuracy, with participants earning stars based on their performance, making the experience both fun and challenging.
Coding
In July 2024, 13 Junior School students participated in a mini-event as part of the Madiba Coding Competition, hosted by Tangible Africa. This competition was a collaboration between Nelson Mandela University’s computing department and the non-profit Leva Foundation, and it took place at the Lotus River Library. Our students demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place out of 12 competing teams. We are particularly proud of their ability to problem-solve
TOP MATRIC STUDENTS
Our Class of 2024 is the Grade 8 Covid-19 cohort of 2020. Their journey through high school has been one of resilience and perseverance, as they overcame numerous obstacles to reach their goals. Aluta M., our top achiever, is a testament to this resilience. Raised in Gugulethu by two parents who were unemployed, she constantly faced concerns over food and financial security, but she has defied the odds. She is now studying towards a BA (Law) at Stellenbosch University. Aluta expressed her excitement, saying, “I am grateful and excited for the future.” Her mother, Rose Mtsi, added: “I am so proud of Aluta. She has exceeded my expectations. I
want to send all my blessings to the staff at Christel House SA for their exceptional work — not just for our children, but for the entire community.”
Xola L., our Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Fakrudin N. achieved second and third place, respectively. Xola is studying towards a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Stellenbosch University. Fakrudin N. is studying towards a BSc Bio-Technology at the University of the Western Cape.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Xola L., Aluta M. and Fakrudin N.
OUR ALUMNI
Chadley Kinnes, Class of 2019 Recruiter
Chadley Kinnes’s story is one of incredible resilience and determination. Raised in Manenberg, an area prone to many social ills, Chadley faced overwhelming challenges from a young age. At just two years old, he lost his mother. His father, a seafarer, was often away working for months, leaving Chadley and his three older siblings to navigate life on their own.
He started at Christel House SA in Grade 1. By Grade 3, Chadley faced another significant challenge when his father lost his job and struggled with substance abuse. With nowhere to turn, Chadley moved in with his older brother. Unfortunately, Chadley’s brother also passed away when Chadley was in High School. Despite the challenges he faced, Chadley found hope and opportunity at Christel House SA. He matriculated in 2019, and with guidance from our Career Development team, he was able to enrol at University, receive financial assistance through NSFAS and ultimately receive a diploma in Human Resource Management.
Today, Chadley is a recruiter for a global organisation specialising in analytics, AI, and digital solutions. His career is driven by a deep passion for helping others secure employment and improve their lives – something he knows all too well.
Chadley says he talks about Christel House SA to anyone who will listen. He believes that if every school in the country – and even the world – was run the way Christel House SA is, the results would be transformative. “With the way Christel House SA is set up, the only thing that can come out of it is excellence,” he says. Reflecting on his journey, Chadley is filled with gratitude. “Without Christel House SA, I can’t even imagine where I’d be today,” he says. “I’m so thankful to the staff, donors and everyone involved in the school who helped me reach where I am now.” Chadley is determined to make a difference in the world and work toward creating a better future for others.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Each One Teach One
Our Career Development department hosted their annual ‘Each One, Teach One’ event where alumni returned to Christel House SA to support our Grade 12 students preparing for life after matric. Our alumni worked with our 59 matric students on a 21-point plan to help them succeed in their final exams and beyond, sharing their personal experiences and offering advice on transitioning into the post-matric world.
Money Moves 4 Me
We hosted a Money Moves 4ME event in October which focused on entrepreneurship, and was attended by 150 people including parents, alumni, alumni parents, unemployed youth from our Youth Bridge Programme, and members of R-Labs and the Amy Foundation. The initiative embodies Christel House SA’s dedication to empowering communities by inspiring participants to embrace entrepreneurial traits such as innovation, resilience, resourcefulness, and adaptability. By fostering a sense of initiative, leadership, and vision, it encourages individuals to create wealth and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Speed Interviews
On 26 April 2024, we hosted our 6th annual Speed Interview event, bringing together 59 matric students and a distinguished panel of Cape Town’s top HR professionals.
This dynamic event is an integral milestone in our learners’ journey toward future success, providing them with a valuable opportunity to sharpen their interview skills, build confidence, and cultivate a sense of professionalism. Our 30 HR and business professionals were highly impressed by our learners’ preparedness, poise, and determination, underscoring the impact of this annual initiative in shaping careerready graduates.
OUR ALUMNI
Yamkelani Hodo, Class of 2021
Systems Implementation and Junior Software Developer
Yamkelani is currently working as a Systems Implementation and Junior Software Developer at a tech company. Raised in Langa, a township where he faced many challenges, including growing up in a household of nine with both parents unemployed, Yamkelani’s journey to success was not easy. He joined Christel House SA in Grade 7 and graduated in 2021. During his time at our school, he discovered his passion for coding and robotics. A highlight of his time at Christel House SA was winning the provincial robotics competition and representing the province in Johannesburg. “Growing up in a township like Langa can easily put you in a cycle of poverty and restrict your ability to dream bigger. I would not have made it in life without Christel House SA’s support. The school exposed me to a lot of new things and opened my eyes to a brighter future filled with opportunities.”
In addition to his professional role, Yamkelani has started his own agency to help young people earn money while still in school, offering them an advantage in today’s challenging economy. He is passionate about empowering others to create their own wealth and to increase their knowledge in the tech space.
“Growing up in a township like Langa can easily put you in a cycle of poverty and restrict your ability to dream bigger.”
SOCIAL SERVICES
Recognising our parents for showing agency
Each year, our Social Services Department recognises parents who have gone above and beyond in volunteering their time. This past year, we introduced a twist – instead of focusing solely on the top performers, we celebrated parents who demonstrated agency and made a meaningful impact.
The 45 parents who attended met the criteria based on their commitment to our Sebenza Sonke (Working Together) parent programme. They also wrote motivational letters detailing how they applied the lessons from our workshops to create positive changes within their families and communities. The celebration featured a light breakfast with fun games at Christel House SA, a refreshing walk through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and a delicious lunch at Moyo. For many, this was their first visit to Kirstenbosch.
Bright Eyes, Bright Future
Students who struggle with vision problems face significant barriers to learning and academic success. Last year, Forvis Mazars South Africa and the African Eye Institute provided all 840 of our students with comprehensive eye tests and screenings. 139 Learners also received muchneed spectacles, through their donation.
98% of Christel House families are engaged in at least one activity in the school.
Christel House Parent Community Service: 39 parents gave back 1 188 hours, serving in their communities. This is a new programme and we expect more parents to become involved. This programme mimics our learner service learning.
OUR ALUMNI
Asive Qezu,
Class of 2011
Senior Business Analyst
Asive grew up in the township of Langa before relocating to Delft at the age of 10. Her journey at our school began in Grade 3 and she matriculated in 2011. She pursued a BCom degree at the University of the Western Cape, majoring in Information Systems and Industrial Psychology. With over 10 years of experience in Human Resources software, Asive currently works as a Senior Business Analyst at Accenture, specialising in workforce transformation.
Her upbringing was marked by significant challenges, including living in an informal settlement in Langa, where her home was destroyed by fires twice. Despite these hardships, she remained focused on her education. She says, “My time at Christel House SA was transformative, characterised by a blend of rigorous academics and holistic growth. Academically, the personalised mentorship from teachers helped me excel in various subjects, sparking my passion for business. The school’s emphasis on community service, like volunteering at local shelters, instilled a deep sense of social responsibility.” Asive mentions that our Career Development programme provided invaluable mentorship and networking opportunities, giving her the tools and confidence to secure a place at university and ultimately achieve her professional goals.
“My time at Christel House SA was transformative, characterised by a blend of rigorous academics and holistic growth.”
EXPANSION
In December 2024, we proudly marked the official sodturning ceremony for our new High School Campus, set to open in 2025. The event was attended by Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education, David Maynier, along with Board members, leadership, staff, and a few students.
While construction of the new High School continues, temporary prefabricated classrooms are ensuring we maintain the quality education Christel House is known for. The new building, slated for completion in one year, will feature 11 classrooms, including a Technology Lab, Media Library, College & Career Hub, and Specialty Rooms.
The two-storey structure will span 2 000m² and accommodate 300 students. Over the next five years, we plan to add two classes per grade until we reach a capacity of 300 students.
In March 2025, we launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to establish a new no fee Grade RR - 12 school in the Western Cape. Christel House International, which operates nine schools worldwide – has pledged to invest 50% of the operating and capital expenses to build the new school and is inviting local financial and supplier partners to help make it a reality.
To get involved, contact our Fundraiser & Marketing Director, Lara Black at: partnership@sa.christelhouse.org 021-704-9407 / 083 326 1168
EXPANSION GOALS
Our goal of opening three new schools by 2029
Expanding through the construction of a new high school on our existing property in Ottery, Cape Town. 2025
2027 - 2029
Building a new Grade RR - 12 school at a critical location in the Western Cape, based on the needs of communities and engagement with partners.
YOUTH BRIDGE
Youth Bridge, our youth development programme has successfully trained and empowered over 200 youth with the skills, confidence, and support they need to step into the world of work. Participants attend a six-week, full time, in-person programme where potential is unlocked and a bridge is built between their undiscovered potential and the opportunities that await them. Youth Bridge has celebrated 10 graduation ceremonies since its inception, with one graduation taking place outside of the Western Cape, in Durban. As we look to 2025 and beyond, we are eager to expand our impact and welcome new partners
Ongeza Vuka’s Journey
Ongeza Vuka, a Youth Bridge graduate (Langa 1 Cohort) is a testament to the transformative power of skills development and perseverance. She recently embarked on an exciting new chapter in her life, traveling to the United States to work as a Camp Counsellor in Raquette Lake, New York.
Before joining Youth Bridge, Ongeza felt unfulfilled in her previous roles and applied for any job that matched her qualifications. However, through our programme, she discovered her passion for working with children. This realisation led her to pursue roles aligned with her interests and strengths. Ongeza credits her success to the skills she gained during the programme, from conducting interviews to writing CVs. She states, “Everything I learnt during the programme helped me get my dream job. I truly love being surrounded by children and am incredibly grateful to Youth Bridge for helping me establish a career path. Their belief in me has empowered me to create a better future for myself, my daughter, and my family.”
SIMUNYE
Since 2020, Simunye, our Social Capital initiative, has partnered with Julius Baer Foundation to create opportunities for students, parents, and teachers from schools across Cape Town’s extreme wealth divide to connect. Through these connections, participants develop shared values and the multicultural confidence needed to thrive in the working world.
Following years of connection between our first cohort of five schools (Christel House Junior School, Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory, Mzamomtsha Primary School, Die Duine Primary and St Cyprians School), Simunye sought to expand the project’s reach but recognised the need for further community research. This acknowledgement led to a highlight event, The Simunye Indaba. This unique event brought together 50 school principals, university convenors, and community leaders to cultivate understanding on “Building Social Capital in an Unequal World”. 100% of our 50 delegates agreed, following this research event, that the Simunye project could be beneficial to students.
Read the book, Small Steps, Big Impact, here https:// sa.christelhouse.org/externalpages/the-simunye-manual, or scan the QR code above.
Using the multi-perspectivity gained through the Indaba, Simunye managed to research, write, develop and publish its first book. A manual titled ‘Small Steps, Big Impact ’ filled with understandings for any organisation looking to replicate the Social Capital work Simunye does.
All these highlights led to our project expanding initiative, Simunye 2.0, more than doubling the project’s reach from five to 12 participating schools. This growth also marked a bold step toward including high schools in Cape Town.
With all 12 schools signed on; principals, teachers, parents and students ready; we look forward to another year of shared learning, empowerment, and collaboration.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adri Marais
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: CHRISTEL HOUSE SA
Experience: Business Development, Tertiary Education and Social Transformation
David Harris
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: CHRISTEL HOUSE INTERNATIONAL
Experience: Founder of The Mind Trust, a national model for driving urban education reform in the U.S.; previously partner with City Fund
Baba Mogase
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Experience: Business and Marketing specialist
Laila Naidoo
MARKETING COMMITTEE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE CHAIR
Experience: Executive Director; Experience in Strategy Development, Business Management, Sales & Marketing, Business Finance
Tania Slabbert
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Experience: Investment professional with experience in both the business and development sectors.
Khoabane Phoofolo
MARKETING COMMITTEE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Experience: Managing Director and Head of BlackRock Africa, with strategic expertise in Asset Management, Capital Markets, and more.
Matimba Mbungela
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Experience: Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group with HR expertise in different portfolios and industries
Ian Russell
CHAIR: CHRISTEL HOUSE SA
Experience: Author, Speaker, Advisor. Experience in Business, Finance, Corporate Governance, Marketing, Communication and Technology
Shereen La Fleur
CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS OFFICER AND COMPANY SECRETARY: CHRISTEL HOUSE SA
Experience: Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))
Prof. Linda Ronnie
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
Experience: Education and Transformative Education specialist
Dr. Antonio Fourie
AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHAIR
Experience: CEO and Chairman of multinational listed groups in Retail, Financial Services, Diversified Conglomerates. Expertise in Strategy, Business Leadership and Governance.
Nicola Gubb
AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
Experience: 30 Years of investment, business management and development experience. Has served as a non-executive on boards of private and public companies in Financial Services, Media and Education with expertise in Governance, Strategy, Investment Management and Transformation.
THANK YOU to our exited board member and Marketing Committee Chair, Wayne Hull for his support and contributions.
LEADING WITH PURPOSE: OUR 2025 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Adri Marais
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Experience: A seasoned leader in the education sector, Adri co-founded a pioneering private notfor-profit business school. As the Chief Executive Officer of Christel House SA, Adri is now driving Christel House SA’s expansion across South Africa.
Dr Ronald Fortune
CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER 2025
Experience: School leader with 36 years in education; Mathematics education expert; Specialist in school leadership coaching and development
Carol Kriel
JUNIOR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Experience: School leader with 34 years of experience
Nasar Harris
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Experience: School leader with 27 years of experience
Eugenia Dlodlo-Sibanda
DEAN OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Experience: Background in clinical psychology with experience in various industries, including health, education, mining sector, financial services industry and NGOs.
Louise de Marillac st. Julien
CAREER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Experience: Background in areas related to people development: from social work and teaching to human resources.
Lara Black
FUNDRAISER AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
Experience: Business development & fundraising, marketing & public relations, branded entertainment & TV sponsorship.
Shereen La Fleur
CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS OFFICER
Experience: A registered Chartered Accountant (SAICA) with broad management and leadership experience across many functional areas including finance and governance, IT, HR and operations and across diverse industries including transport, credit risk, property development and education
FINANCIALS
Statement of Financial Position Statement of Comprehensive Income
Statement of Cash Flows
Overhead and fundraising costs are funded by the Founder’s bequest to the organisation. The audited financial statements were compiled in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards for Small to Medium Sized Entities and in the manner required by the Companies Act of South Africa 2008. The registered auditors were Mazars, Cape Town. The complete set of audited financial statements is available on our website: www.sa.christelhouse.org
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS DONORS AND PARTNERS
• Ackerman Family Foundation
• Actuarial Society of South Africa
• Air Products South Africa
• Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
• An Anonymous Foundation donor
• Aspen Pharmacare Holdings
• BlackRock Foundation
• Blue Label Telecommunications
• Cape Grace, a Fairmont
Managed Hotel
• CHEP
• Christel House SA Staff
• Christopher A. Holder
• Cummins South Africa
• David Piazza
• Donaldson Filtration Systems
• Dell Technologies
• Education for Life
• EMFAM PC (Pty) Ltd
• Fondation Bernard
• Frank Jackson Foundation
• GAC Laser International Logistics and GAC Laser Specialised Logistics
• Grand Slots
• Growthpoint Properties
• Harry Crossley Foundation
Thank you!
We would like to thank each individual and organisation who generously supported us in 2024. The above names represent donations we received in 2024 greater than R100 000.
• Helen Blakemore
100% of donations directly benefit the students who attend Christel House SA. Finance, fundraising, marketing and administrative costs are covered in perpetuity by the estate of our founder, the late Christel DeHaan.
Please help us to continue to transform lives by donating. Visit sa.christelhouse.org/ donate/ or use our SnapScan code. All South African donations are tax deductible, and businesses can qualify for BEE points when supporting us. International donors can also donate to Christel House SA through our registered charity organisations in the United States and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit sa.christelhouse.org
