Bergrivier NGK Primary School

Project Details:

Beneficiary: Bergrivier NGK Primary School
Project Type: Education Infrastructure Support
Partners: Isipani Foundation & Investec Philanthropy (representing THE RACHEL DU TOIT CHARITABLE TRUST)
Project Value: R271 000 Investec Philanthropy; Isipani R545 858; Total cost R816 858 ex VAT
Date of Completion: 18 March 2026
Location: Wellington, Western Cape

Summary:

Construction of a new multipurpose classroom
Upgrading of male and female ablution facilities
Revamping of container kitchen
Fresh coat of paint to the building

Project Overview

Bergrivier NGK Primary School, is a small rural school serving a growing learner community operating under challenging infrastructural constraints. With limited classroom space, and multiple grades sharing facilities that were not originally designed for teaching, the need for an additional, fit for purpose classroom, became increasingly urgent.

Through a collaborative partnership between Isipani Foundation and Investec Philanthropy (representing THE RACHEL DU TOIT CHARITABLE TRUST), targeted support was provided to address this critical need by enabling the construction of an additional classroom, thereby improving the learning environment and the school’s capacity.

Identified Need

Bergrivier NGK Primary School was operating with insufficient classroom space, which resulted in overcrowding and the use of unsuitable structures for teaching and administration. This directly impacted on teaching effectiveness and the learner experience. An additional classroom was identified as a priority intervention to relieve pressure on existing facilities, and to support the delivery of quality education.

Scope of Support

The support focused on the construction of a new multipurpose classroom, designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing school environment and meet immediate educational needs.

Key elements of the support included:

Funding secured specifically for the construction of an additional classroom
Collaboration with professional construction partners to ensure quality and durability
Alignment with donor requirements and governance standards
Paving to eneven surfaces to make school yard safer
Upgrading of the male and female ablution facilities
Revamping of the school’s container kitchen and
Application of a fresh coat of paint to the building

Bergrivier NGK_After Images school side view steps (22)

Impact

The addition of a dedicated classroom significantly improves the school’s ability to accommodate learners in a structured and safe learning environment.

The project contributes to:

Reduced overcrowding in existing classrooms
Improved teaching conditions for educators
Enhanced learning experience for learners
Long term infrastructural upliftment for a rural school community

This project reflects the power of strategic partnerships in addressing real community needs. Through the combined efforts of Isipani Foundation and Investec Philanthropy (representing THE RACHEL DU TOIT CHARITABLE TRUST), Bergrivier NGK Primary School has received meaningful infrastructure support that will benefit learners and educators for years to come.

Roles and Contributions

Investec Philanthropy (representing THE RACHEL DU TOIT CHARITABLE TRUST)

Investec Philanthropy (representing THE RACHEL DU TOIT CHARITABLE TRUST), through its charitable funding structures, secured grant funding amounting to R271,000, allocated exclusively for the construction of the additional classroom. The funding was provided under a formal grant agreement with clear reporting, governance, and impact requirements.

Isipani Foundation

Isipani Foundation acted as the grant recipient and implementation partner, overseeing the project administration, compliance, and coordination with contractors. The Foundation ensured that the funds were applied strictly in line with the approved purpose and that all reporting and accountability requirements were met.

Ons will Isipani hartlik bedank vir die opgradering hier by ons skool. Die groot wasbak in die kombuis maak dit vir ons kok baie gerieflik om kos voor te berei en die skottelgoed te was. Die kombuis vertoon oak nou baie netjieser met die nuwe vloer en lyk ook nou baie mooier vandat dit geverf is.

Ons leerders gebruik dan ook nou die afdakkies om onder te sit wanneer hulle hul voiding geniet gedurende pauses en is ook baie gerieflik op reendae. Ons is ook baie dankbaar vir die plaveisel. Ons skool vertoon nou baie netjieser en baie mooier. Ons klasse het ook nou baie minder stof. Ons skoolgebou lyk ook nou baie meer aantrekliker vanadt dit so netjies geverf is, ans toilet is oak netjies geverf, met nuwe deure en pragtige teels. Dit is sommer nou baie lekker om die gerieflik om dit te gebruik.

Die nuwe klaskamer gebou gebruik ons vir ‘n rekenaarlokaal, leerondersteuning, asook kantoor. Ons het uiteindelik vir die eerste keer ‘n kantoor, hoe wonderlik is dit nie.

Nogmaals baie dankie vir u ondersteuning aan ans skoal. Ek glo ans leerders is nou meer gelukkiger om in ‘n meer netjieser, geriefliker. Leerdervriendeliker omgewing te leer.

We would like to thank Isipani warmly for the upgrade here at our school.

The large sink in the kitchen makes it very convenient for our cook to prepare food and wash the dishes. The kitchen now looks much neater with the new floor and also looks much nicer since it was painted.

Our learners now use the canopies to sit under when they enjoy their meals during breaks, and it is also very convenient on rainy days. We are also very grateful for the paving. Our school now looks much neater and much nicer. Our classes also have much less dust now. Our school building also looks much more attractive now that it has been painted so neatly, and the toilet has also been painted neatly, with new doors and beautiful tiles. It is now very nice to be able to use it conveniently.

We use the new classroom building for a computer room, learning support, as well as an office. We finally have an office for the first time, how wonderful is that. Thank you again for your support of our school.

I believe our learners are now happier to learn in a neater, more comfortable, more learner-friendly environment.

Ms. R Swarts

Principal, Bergrivier NGK Primary School