The Hantam Education Community Education Trust is a comprehensive educational and development project situated east of Colesberg in the Great Karoo.
Begun as a play school in a disused farm building 25 years ago, it has grown into an early learning centre, primary school and intermediate school, housed in a complex built on land donated by a local farmer.
The Trust utilises advanced educational methods, including innovative new approaches to achieving basic numeracy and literacy, and helps its learners to complete further education and training. It also manages community health and youth development programmes.
Community members play an active role in governing the Trust. It receives some state funding, but raises most of its funds from South African and international donors.
The project has won numerous awards, including the State President’s Award for Community Initiative in the Northern Cape.