Our Journey
BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING
History and Milestones
2003
Focus on iThemba (RF) NPC is Founded
- Focus on iThemba is founded by Danie and Judy van den Heever.
- First Board Meeting.
2004
Friends of iThemba is Established
- Friends of iThemba is established.
- First Vision Africa Conference is held in South Africa with USA friends.
2005
Purchase of the iThemba Campus
- Second Vision Africa Conference.
- Purchase of the All Africa Bible College Property (now the iThemba Campus).
2006
Cluster Foster Care Begins
- First foster family home opens - Joseph House.
- Indigenous tree and shrub planting, and alien vegetation clearing begins.
2007
Foster Care Work Expands
- Second foster family home opens - Esther House.
2008
iThemba Academy Opens
- Third and fourth foster family homes open - Joshua House and Jacob House.
- iThemba Academy opens for foster children to help bridge the educational gap.
- Third Vision Africa Conference.
2009
Anna House Opens
- Fifth foster family home opens - Anna House.
2010
New Beginnings
- Waterfall College moves on to the iThemba Campus.
2012
Investing in Early Childhood Development
- iThemba Schools Programme is established. First partnership with two partner Pre-Schools in the Valley of 1000 Hills is formed.
2013
A Graduate in the Family
- Oldest iThemba foster child graduates from university.
2014
Embracing Change
- Cluster Foster Care Programme transitions into the iThemba Esther Homes Model (children were housed by a family off the iThemba Campus).
2015
iThemba Campus Development Begins
- Sustainability Strategy commences.
- Construction of Waterfall Pre-Primary commences.
2016
Growth
- Waterfall Pre-Primary Opens.
- Construction on Waterfall Preparatory Foundation Phase block commences.
- Johnny Clegg performs on Campus.
- First Scholars join the iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Eight partner Pre-Schools in iThemba Schools Programme.
2017
Expanding our Reach
- First Project Delight Pre-School revamp.
- Project Bright Pre-School transformation official opening.
- Waterfall Prep FP Block opens.
- iThemba Academy incorporated into Waterfall Schools.
2018
An Educational Hub
- Waterfall Prep Intermediate Phase opens.
- Waterfall Schools offers a full educational pathway from 12 months to Grade 12.
- Construction on the Victor Daitz Centre commences.
- Focus on iThemba and DanCor move to renovated Jacob House.
- Fiftieth Focus on iThemba Board Meeting.
2019
Blessed To Be A Blessing
- Ten partner Pre-Schools in the iThemba Schools Programme.
- Ten Scholars in the iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Project Joy Pre-School transformation official opening.
- Programmes have reached over 2000 children, teachers and families.
- 700 children attending Waterfall Schools.
- Jacob House garden wins Corporate Garden of the Year award.
- First parenting course is piloted through Focus on the Family Africa.
2020
Adding value to Waterfall College
- Waterfall College's Victor Daitz Centre opens.
2021
Transformation Through Collaboration
- Waterfall College STEAM Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) officially opens.
- Project Star Pre-School transformation opens.
- Addition of iThemba Scholars Programme Manager.
- Thirteen Scholars in iThemba Scholars Programme.
2022
A footprint in the Western Cape
- iThemba Schools Programme extends into the Western Cape through the adoption of Bongani Pre-School.
- Revamp of Campus Cafe & Kit Shop on Campus.
- Construction of Waterfall Prep's SALT (Science, Art, Language and Technology) Centre commences.
- Fourteen Scholars in iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Legacy Standing Stone is installed in honour of our Founders.
2023
Celebrating 20 Years of Hope
- Focus on iThemba celebrates 20th Founding Anniversary.
- Sixteen Scholars in iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Waterfall Prep SALT Centre officially opens.
- Parent Training Programme starts in the Western Cape.
2024
Celebrating Milestones
- Second Project Delight Revamp: Grade R classroom block.
- Celebrate 10 years of partnership with Project Bright.
- Sixteen Scholars in the iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Waterfall College celebrates 20th Founding Anniversary.
- Parent Training Programme reaches 400 parents in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Last iThemba foster child matriculates.
2025
A Bold Vision Is Conceived
- Vision: establish an educational Campus in Knysna.
- Purchased this property in July and the first steps towards seeing this vision come to life was set in motion.
- Sixteen scholars in the iThemba Scholars Programme.
- Twelve iThemba Schools.
- Parent Training Programme celebrated 581 graduates between 2024 and 2025
2026
Grateful Hearts
- Celebrate 10 years of Partnership with Project Faith, Light, Smile and Joy.
- Seventeen Scholars in the iThemba Scholars Programme - first two Scholars enter Grade 12.
- Bongani Pre-School opens up a Grade R class.
- Waterfall Pre-Primary celebrates its 10th Anniversary on iThemba Campus.
- Forest Edge Schools opens on 3 active campuses while educational campus takes shape.