Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Nokwesi cradles a young child that attends her preschool.
Photo credits: Alexander Sánchez
Located in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, in the township of Qolweni, Siyakhula Preschool has been a place of hope and opportunity since 1997. Founded by Nokwesi, who also serves as the headmistress, the preschool was born out of a simple but powerful mission: to ensure that children in the township could access education, even in the face of hardship.
Nokwesi remembers the circumstances that inspired her to start the preschool. “People were moved to Qolweni because the local government wanted to build first-class houses elsewhere,” she explains. “Homes and schools were destroyed, and those who stayed were left with no education for their children. That’s why I opened Siyakhula Preschool. I wanted to give the children here a chance that they otherwise wouldn’t have had.” The early days were full of challenges. Many parents were unemployed and unable to pay preschool fees. Funding was scarce, donations almost nonexistent, and Nokwesi struggled to pay staff and provide three meals a day for her students, meals that, for many children, were the only ones they would receive throughout the day. Most of the children came from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the preschool became not just a place to learn, but a lifeline for survival. “I remember children coming in hungry, unable to concentrate,” Nokwesi says. “Providing food was just as important as teaching them ABCs and numbers.”
Being a woman added an extra layer of difficulty. Nokwesi recalls that she often had to fight harder to gain recognition and support. “At the beginning, people didn’t take me seriously,” she admits. “I had to prove that I could do this, I had to prove that I could run a school, manage staff, and provide for the children. It wasn’t easy, but I knew that if I gave up, the children of Qolweni would have nowhere to go.”
Recognising the wider needs of the community, Siyakhula Preschool also runs a small soup kitchen every Friday, using leftover food from local supermarkets. “It wasn’t just the kids who needed meals,” Nokwesi explains. “This allowed us to help anyone in need and brought the community together.” Families from around the township come for the meals, and the initiative has become a weekly reminder that the preschool is more than a school, it is a community hub that supports everyone in Qolweni.
For girls in particular, Siyakhula Preschool has been transformative. “Many young girls never reach school because they marry young and end up having children, which ends their education,” Nokwesi says. “By giving them a chance at learning, we are helping prevent this and giving them a real shot at a future and a life outside the cycle of early marriage and motherhood. Education opens doors they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Language education is another cornerstone of the preschool. The children are primarily taught in their native language, Xhosa, which helps them feel confident and connected to their heritage. At the same time, they learn English, giving them an advantage when it comes to further education and employment opportunities later in life. “Being bilingual opens doors for our students and equips them with opportunities they might not otherwise have,” Nokwesi explains. The staff at Siyakhula Preschool are deeply involved in the community. Many have worked at the school for years, forming strong bonds with families and supporting children both academically and emotionally. Parents often return to share stories of their children’s successes, reinforcing the value of education and inspiring younger students to dream bigger. Nokwesi’s approach emphasizes not only academic learning but also social skills, emotional growth, and the importance of self-belief.
Over the years, Siyakhula Preschool has educated more than 2,000 children, many of whom have gone on to study at universities in South Africa and abroad. Some have already achieved their dream careers, and their achievements serve as powerful proof of what is possible when children are given early support and opportunities.
Looking to the future, Nokwesi has ambitious plans to expand Siyakhula Preschool to include grades one, two, and three. This would mean children no longer have to travel long distances by bus to continue their education, making schooling more accessible for the township’s youngest learners. “But this cannot happen without support,” she admits. “We need the community, donors, and partners to help make this vision a reality. Every bit of help, whether volunteering, donating, or mentoring, makes a difference in these children’s lives.” Nokwesi’s journey is a story of perseverance, courage, and hope. She has faced financial challenges, societal expectations, and the weight of responsibility, yet she has never wavered in her commitment to the children of Qolweni. Through Siyakhula Preschool, she has created more than a school, she has created a community of opportunity, where children are nourished, empowered, and inspired to dream beyond the limits of their circumstances.
From children receiving their first meals at school to young girls discovering that education can give them choice and freedom, to families being fed through the Friday soup kitchen, Siyakhula Preschool continues to change lives every day. Nokwesi’s vision reminds us that with dedication, support, and belief in the next generation, one person can spark a ripple of change that transforms an entire communit
