According to a recent news article on News24, International Parents are choosing to send their children to top private schools in South Africa for their “holistic education and Christian ethos”.
In the article written by Prega Govender, the Christian ethos and holistic education make South Africa’s independent schools a top choice for parents.
The article goes on to say that this year, 38 pupils from around the world and 169 from the rest of the continent were collectively enrolled at St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls, and Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape.
The article also mentions that this year, Michaelhouse had 85 pupils from abroad, including the US, UK, and Germany.
Below is an extract from the article, to read the full article please visit the following link; https://www.news24.com/southafrica/education/hundreds-of-pupils-from-africa-in-13-private-schools-in-sa-20250908-1170
“Full boarding, a strong Christian ethos, top sports and cultural programmes, and academic excellence are the reasons why parents from all over Africa and the world are enrolling their children at South African private schools.
The three independent schools in Makhanda, the Eastern Cape, St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls, and Kingswood College, are steeped in history and have a high enrolment of pupils from the continent.
Schools, including Uplands College in Mpumalanga, and Michaelhouse and Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal, are also popular drawcards for parents from the rest of Africa.
“Despite a narrative about being a city with potholes and donkeys, Makhanda has been a centre of educational excellence for over a century, with state-of-the-art facilities and top academics,” said Kingswood College Head Leon Grové.
Thirteen independent schools in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga enrolled 1 477 pupils from outside the cities or towns in which they were situated, 212 from abroad, and 565 from other parts of Africa.
St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls, and Kingswood College collectively had 872 pupils from out of town, including 292 from Gauteng.
A further 38 pupils were from abroad, and 169 were from the rest of Africa.
The schools included:
- Kingswood College: 13 overseas and 120 from the rest of Africa.
- St Andrew’s College: 13 overseas and 66 from the rest of Africa.
- Diocesan School for Girls: 12 overseas and 83 from the rest of Africa.
- Uplands College had 109 pupils from the rest of the continent, Michaelhouse had 75, and Hilton College had 54.
- Michaelhouse, which has pupils enrolled from 17 countries abroad, including the US, UK and Germany, has 85 pupils from overseas this year, the highest number among the 13 schools that responded to media queries.
Some of the other schools with pupils living abroad included:
- Somerset College (Western Cape): 27.
- Hilton College: 76.
- Kingswood College: 13.
- St Andrew’s College: 13.
- Diocesan School for Girls: 12.
- Uplands College: nine.
- Cordwalles Preparatory School for Boys (KwaZulu-Natal): nine.
Meanwhile, Grové said parents were increasingly seeking more than just academic excellence.
“They were looking for schools that align with their values and provide their children with the space to grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
“At Kingswood, we offer a unique combination: world-class private education grounded in traditional Christian virtues, delivered in the safe, close-knit community of Makhanda.
“It offers a peaceful, secure setting where children can thrive in fresh air, away from the traffic and negative influences of larger metropolitan areas. Pupils benefit from a holistic education that balances academic rigour with sport, outdoor education, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.”
Kingswood currently has a total of 19 pupils from Kenya.
One of the Kenyan pupils, Corey Harris, said he chose Kingswood College because of its top-notch education facilities and “how much it felt like a family” compared to other schools.
“Kingswood has taught me many valuable life lessons that I otherwise would have never learnt.”
Leona Morapedi from Botswana added her parents chose Kingswood College because it was a “Christian, co-ed boarding school”
“It has been amazing to grow and learn in an environment that prioritises holistic education,” she said.”
To read the full article please visit: https://www.news24.com/southafrica/education/hundreds-of-pupils-from-africa-in-13-private-schools-in-sa-20250908-1170