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For 25 years, Christel House South Africa has worked to break the cycle of poverty by providing children from under-resourced communities with access to quality education, holistic support and opportunities to build brighter futures. 

On Friday, 4 September 2026, we celebrated this remarkable milestone at our 25th Birthday Celebration, bringing together donors, partners, supporters, alumni, staff and friends who have played a part in the Christel House South Africa journey. 

The evening was not only an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, but also to look ahead to the next chapter of our mission and the many more lives we hope to transform in the years ahead. 

Since opening our doors in Cape Town in 2001, Christel House South Africa has grown into far more than a school. Our holistic model recognises that education alone cannot overcome the complex barriers our students face.  

Over the past 25 years, our community of supporters has helped us provide students with the education, care and opportunities they need to thrive, from their first years in the classroom through to further education and the world of work. 

Our 25th Birthday Celebration provided an opportunity to honour this collective impact and the people who have helped make it possible. 

Throughout the evening, guests heard powerful stories from Christel House South Africa alumni, enjoyed performances by current students and alumni, and learnt more about our continued growth and expansion. 

Guiding us through the celebration was our wonderful MC, Africa Melane, who brought warmth and poise to an evening filled with reflection, gratitude and hope for the future. 

At the heart of the evening was a simple but powerful quote by our founder, the late Christel DeHaan: every child deserves a seat at the table of life. 

For 25 years, donors, partners, educators, staff, families, alumni and supporters have chosen to invest in the potential of our students and help create opportunities that may otherwise have been out of reach. 

Our 25th Birthday Celebration was an opportunity to recognise this community and say thank you to everyone who has helped build that table alongside us. 

To everyone who joined us for this special celebration, thank you for helping make the evening so memorable. We are especially grateful to those who generously donated in support of our mission during the event.  

Thank you for having a seat at our table. We look forward to building the next 25 years together.