Latest projects & News
Below is the latest news and some of our most recent projects.
In order to receive classrooms ECAG asks that every school that requests help is required to raise and pay a deposit. This money is used to level and fence the site, to provide documentation to the effect that the land is unattached, undertake to get water required for building to the site and plant some trees. Local artisans are employed to build the classrooms. Many of the community members are used to assist them and to learn construction skills.
To see more about our projects please follow us on Facebook. If you would like to donate to any of the schools that so desperately need classrooms please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Visit from the Juch Family
The Eshowe Community Action Group was delighted to be visited by the extended Juch family from the Netherlands, when they stopped in Eshowe as part of a broader trip across Africa.
Through their charitable foundation, the de Johanna Bode Trust, the Juchs have over the past 30 years funded the construction of 200 classrooms at under-resourced schools in the greater Eshowe area, at a cost of almost R25-million.
While they were in Eshowe, the family stayed at The Chase, where they were hosted by Jono and Janey Chennells. Besides visiting Thembalesizwe and Entumeni Primary Schools – where the latest of the 200 classrooms had been built – they also spent some time the famous Eshowe Boardwalk, and while they were there they watched local schoolchildren being given an educational outing.
It is truly awe-inspiring that one single family from the Northern Hemisphere has contributed so much to easing the overcrowding at rural schools in the greater Eshowe area. What a wonderful family!
Visit from ACC Founder
WE WERE delighted to play host to the founder of Africa Classroom Connection, Mr Henry Brommelkamp, last week.
Henry travelled to South Africa from his home town of Minneapolis in Minnesota, USA, to inspect the classrooms being built with funding raised by Africa Classroom Connection.
The first day he visited Mavumengwana Primary in Mbongolwane where he received an excited welcome. He then visited Nqamboshana Primary in Nkandla, where he was greeted by the staff and another crowd of excited learners. And finally visited Nqiwaweni Primary School in Matubatuba, which is approximately 90 minutes from Eshowe.
Having suffered life-changing injuries in a motor vehicle accident some years ago, Henry is confined to a wheelchair, but he has not allowed his disability to prevent him from flying across the world to witness firsthand how disadvantaged Zulu learners are benefitting from his fund-raising efforts in America.
Creche in King Dinizulu
From a small house with 4 children and one teacher.
To a church hall with a potential for 30 children!
This project was started by the late Roger Brunt, in whose name it continued. It is now run by three local Eshowe women. The crèche will give dozens of local children a great start in life.
The official opening, attended by Eshowe Rotary President Richard Chennells, took place on Wednesday 16th April, when the 20 children currently attending the crèche were each presented with a backpack containing a drink, chips and sweets.
All the equipment for the crèche was funded by the Cheltenham Rotary Club and organized by ECAG in conjunction with local crèche operator Kim Dellis.
Nsezi Primary School
Nsezi Pimary School is situated in Nseleni near Richards Bay, which is 90kms away from Eshowe.
The school has 350 learners and only 9 classrooms including the 3 that ECAG has built. So they definitely need some more!
These three new classrooms were donated by Africa Classroom Connection which is based in Minneapolis USA.
Little Flower Primary School
The Little Flower School is the first school ECAG has built classrooms for that isn’t outside Eshowe. The four classrooms were completed in May 2025. Our donors from Africa Classroom Connection in the USA came for a visit.
They were welcomed by principal Mrs Meglar Chinsammy, who moved to the school in 2022, when there were fewer than 700 learners. In 2025 there are now 1045 pupils and the need for extra classrooms is underlined by the Grade R class, where 102 youngsters are all housed in one room.
Nhlalakahle High School
Nhlalakahle High school is situated in Nquthu 167km from Eshowe.
The school has 23 classrooms for their 1,297 learners. It accommodates grades 8 to 12. That averages out to about 56 learners per classroom, so they definitely need more room!
These four new classrooms were donated by long-time donors to the ECAG projects, the de Johanna Bode Trust.
Princess Langazane High School
The Princess Langazane High School is situated in the Ngodini District, about 25kms from Eshowe in KZN.
It is headed by a young & energetic principal, the result of which can be seen by their good matric pass rate. The school’s 2024 Grade 12 cohort had just received their results: 240 learners from a total class of 256 had passed – a 94.1% pass rate, well ahead of the national average – and 169 of those learners had achieved Bachelor’s passes, with 171 distinctions achieved.
Our US based donors Africa Classroom Connection, Dr Michelle Biros and executive director Robyn Coquyt, flew in from Minneapolis to visit the school earlier this year.
