South Africa Day 13 - Oldest German School in South Africa

After enjoying a delicious breakfast in the morning and packing everything up, we set off by bus to Hermannsburg German School around 9 o'clock.

Shortly before our arrival, we spotted some monkeys frolicking and playing happily on a meadow. Shortly after, we were welcomed with a short, delicious picnic consisting of coffee and cake in the courtyard of Hermannsburg School before heading to the local chapel. There, we sang along with the school choir of Hermannsburg School under the direction of Gérard du Toit. He used a praise method unfamiliar to us by tossing sweets to those who sang particularly well (breathing, facial expression, etc.). Together, we learned the African song 'Somlandela' by Tristan Hiestermann with accompanying choreography.

Afterward, we performed three pieces from our repertoire, including 'O Fortuna' from Carmina Burana. This song received great enthusiasm, as the school choir also knew this piece and could sing along accordingly. While the Hermannsburg students already had lunch afterwards, we learned a lot about the history and establishment of the school. Christel, the curator and museum director, told us that it all started in a mission station in Hermannsburg, Germany. They sent freshly trained missionaries on a journey to Ethiopia to spread the Protestant faith. On their way there, they made a stop in Durban, where they were warmly welcomed by Germans who had recently immigrated. Since the originally planned mission to Ethiopia failed, the missionaries returned to Durban and established their mission station there. Over time, more and more missionaries from Germany emigrated to South Africa, followed by craftsmen and farmers, and in 1854 a village with a school and kindergarten was finally established. This is the preserved Hermannsburg School to this day, which is also the oldest school in South Africa. Some descendants of the missionaries still live and work here as the 6th generation. In fact, even today, 10% of the students and teachers speak German at a native level, and the school offers the German Language Diploma I and II, giving students the opportunity to study in Germany.

Around 2:30 PM, we also had homemade lunch with freshly baked bread, which we enjoyed in the great outdoors under the bright sunshine. Then we had free time to explore the vast grounds. For example, there was a historical museum that used to be a mission house where the first missionaries lived. We could also explore the school and its sports facilities and, of course, engage with the boarding students.

Unfortunately, it was time for us to depart again, and at 4 PM, we continued to our next accommodation in Pietermaritzburg. There, we first settled into our rooms, and then a rich buffet awaited us. We ended the evening in a cozy gathering playing cards together.