SOUTH AFRICA - Greater knowledge thanks to better labs

2026-03-16
Ein Blick in die neuen naturwissenschaftlichen Klassenräume der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule in Südafrika, die von der Umckaloabo-Stiftung unterstützt wird.

A quantum leap in the laboratory

The time has finally come: students at the Ekuphumleni Secondary School can now begin working in the long-awaited science lab. Thanks to extensive renovations and overdue new acquisitions, the students in Whittlesea can finally enjoy the classes they had always hoped for. With the new well-equipped lab, they have the opportunity to do hands-on experiments in physics and chemistry themselves and not just read about them in books. This is a quantum leap, as it were, in their ability to learn scientific knowledge and skills. 
Eine Schülerin nimmt ein neues Elektronenmikroskop für den naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht an der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule in Südafrika entgegen.
A student accepts an electron microscope as a gift for the school.
Das neue wissenschaftliche Labor der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule sowie neu angeschafftes Unterrichtsmaterial.
The school also received new teaching material for science classes.

Excellence through good education

The Ekuphumleni school is particularly pleased to have highly motivated students, especially in the STEM subjects. In every one of the previous years, nearly 100% of graduating students passed their qualifying exams. The secondary school is working towards this goal again this year, and such statistics make the school one of the best in the Eastern Cape. The number of those enrolled has since risen to over 1,200 with a growing waiting list, because more and more parents want to send their children to school there.  
Der Naturwissenschaftsraum der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule bedarf einer Modernisierung.
The school laboratory before the renovation...
Das neue Science Lab an der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule in Südafrika.
... and after a complete overhaul.

Active on behalf of Ekuphumleni 

A privately organized fund-raising campaign was the reason that the science lab could be renovated and new equipment and indispensable teaching material could be procured. This was a phenomenal initiative, and the Umckaloabo Foundation and the Ekuphumleni Secondary School are very grateful.

The school not only offers quality education, it creates community: there are currently three volunteer teachers working at the school. They themselves graduated from Ekuphumleni, went on to attend university and are currently waiting for a position to open up. In the meantime they are gaining teaching experience as volunteers at the school.

Solid investments in education

A group of employees from the Schwabe Group Switzerland was able to be present when the science lab was inaugurated. The outstanding condition of the entire school was impressive. The financial support from the Umckaloabo Foundation is truly well invested in every way possible. 
Eine Besuchergruppe der Schwabe-Gruppe Schweiz an der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule in Südafrika.
Lehrerinnen und Schülerinnen der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule mit einem Banner der Umckaloabo-Stiftung, die die Schule seit vielen Jahren finanziell unterstützt.
Widmung für einen Unterstützer aus Deutschland, der mit einer Spendenaktion Geld für die Renovierung des Science Labs an der Ekuphumleni-Sekundarschule gesammelt hat.

The school named the lab after Josef Seiler from Karlsruhe, who held a fundraising campaign to cover the expense of renovating and equipping the science lab at the Ekuphumleni Secondary School. 

Josef Seiler traveled in South Africa in 2025 with a group from the Rotary Club, and afterwards he spontaneously decided to celebrate his birthday with a fundraiser. The group of Swiss visitors currently visiting our educational projects in South Africa has also initiated its own fundraising campaign for a daycare center.

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