The story of ELET is woven through decades of dedication to enhancing minds and fostering growth. Journey with us through our “Past Programmes” – a special collection highlighting initiatives for each of our 40 years, in reflecting the enduring spirit of ELET’s work in education.
Pioneering Progress: ELET Early Years (1984-1994)
1984
Establishment of the Anglovaal English Language Centre with Mervin Ogle being appointed Director.
1985
First projects begin at Mpumalanga Secondary School and Kwamashu Primary School.
1986
The first of 17 English teaching conferences in partnership with the Department of Linguistics, University of Natal.
1987
The first batch of British Council Scholarship teachers went on an exchange programme to the Thames Valley University, in London.
1988
Funded by USAID, the Mobil Foundation and SA Tioxide implements, new second language projects in Umlazi, Durban and in the homeland of Kangwane in the Eastern Transvaal.
1989
The first Diploma Course for Overseas Teachers of English (DOTE) through the University Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
1990
ELET’s English language resource centre opens at the Phalaborwa Foundation.
1991
ELET participates in the 1,000 Schools Project for qualitative educational improvement in partnership with other NGO’s.
1992
A cohort of ELET project teachers travel to Christ Church College in the UK on a three-month British Council Scholarship.
1993
ELET works to improve communicative language methods in historically disadvantaged schools.
1994
Scholarships to Christ Church College in the UK are awarded to 40 teachers
- EDUCATION & SKILLS
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
Growth and Transformation: ELET in a Changing South Africa (1995-2004)
1995
The MPSI Project is completed and work begins in Limpopo with funding from the SOROS Foundation with the development and publishing of relevant resources.
1996
Work begins with a consortium of NGO’s in the Siyathuthuka Project in Vryheid schools.
1997
The first indigenous tree planting project in KZN funded by the South African Sugar Association.
1998
Health and Sanitation Education Project (PHASE) begins in the Eastern Cape as a member of a consortium of NGO’s working in schools.
1999
Funded by USAID, PHASE continues in more than 300 schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The DELT course is offered through Vista University.
2000
Offered the first Diploma Course for Overseas Teachers of English (DOTE) through the University Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
2001
In partnership with the British Council, work begins on the Language in Education Pilot Project. In three years 5,500 trees planted in schools in the KwaZulu- Natal midlands, south coast and Ndwedwe regions.
2002
The first community and schools vegetable gardens project begins in Ndwedwe and the KwaZulu- Natal South Coast schools.
2003
Lotto funds the first Community- Serving Schools Project in the Ugu district.
2004
ELET celebrates 20th Anniversary. Boreholes built at eight project schools in the Ugu district.
- EDUCATION & SKILLS
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
Strengthening Impact: ELET's Maturing Years (2005-2014)
2005
The INK Greening Project begins, funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Agriculture and Tourism.
2006
Partnering with the Valley Trust to begin work on the Whole School Development Project, funded by the Zenex Foundation. The Jica Schools Vegetable Garden Project in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal commences.
2007
The Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) course is offered in KwaZulu-Natal. ELET partners in the Dinaledi project funded by Zenex Foundation in KwaZulu- Natal and Limpopo.
2008
14 educators complete the ACE certificate through the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Work begins on the ABSA Food Gardens Project and the Engen Wentworth Hospital Garden Project.
2009
Projects continue as ELET celebrates 25 years of groundbreaking work.
2010
Zenex Izibalo Project focusing on language, science and mathematics, supporting fifteen schools in the Ugu district.
2011
Food security programme funded by IQRAA Trust providing materials, training and support to communities in establishing food gardens.
2012
Completion of the 3-year Learner English Olympiad Project.
2013
Foundation phase reading and literacy programme and the provision of resources to 11 primary schools in KZN.
2014
30-year milestone reached. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) NQF level 4 learnership in partnership with DUT commences.
- EDUCATION & SKILLS
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
Celebrating Excellence and Embracing Technology, a journey towards change: The Fourth Decade (2015-2024)
2015
36 ECD Practitioners commence the ECD NQF level 4 learnership.
2016
English FAL capacity building and resource provisioning for 50 teachers in the in the Umlazi District.
2017
Funded by the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, Project Rise commences, to provide mobile libraries and build educator capacity benefiting 30 primary schools, 330 educators and 6,800 learners in Umlazi.
2018
Project rise is expanded to include 14 schools within Umlazi and iLembe Districts.
2019
The first HWSETA funded cohort of 85 ECD Practitioners enrolled in the ECD NQF level 4 learnership.
2019
Funded by Liberty Community Trust the foundational phase and kickstart reading literacy project for 4 schools in Inanda is implemented.
2019
Establishment of a vegetable and herb garden in Merebank, funded by the Pick n Pay Foundation.
2020
Introduction of STEM programs funded by BANKSETA for 50 grade 12 learners in the Pinetown district.
2020
Responding to the water crisis, in partnership with Sibaya Community Trust. 100 Amanzi eKhaya home water purification units are provided to households in iLembe district.
2020
ELET expands ECD footprint nationally with funding from HWSETA.
2021
Funding from BANKSETA and CHIETA for STEM programs benefit 41 schools, 70 educators, and 80 learners within the Pinetown and Umlazi districts.
2021
In partnership with NECDA and funded by UNICEF the Parenting Support Program is offered to 345 parents and ECD practitioners.
The Fourth Decade (2015-2024)
2022
Kickstart reading literacies programmes continues with funding from Rotary E-club of SA One and Liberty Community Trust phase 2 implementation in Inanda.
2022
HWSETA Funded ECD learnerships continues to grow and impact rural communities nationally.
2022
ECD NQF level 4 training for employed practitioners funded by the First Rand Trust in Nongidi location and eDumbe Municipality commences.
2023
In response to the PIRLS report indicative of the present poor iteracies levels, ELET implements Funda ukufunda (learn to read) program in 8 project schools, funded by IQRAA Trust.
2023
ELET pilots the program with foundation phase learners in partnership with Durban Tech Robotics.
2023
As a forerunner in the ECD space, ELET launches groundbreaking ECD learnership programs, funded by HWSETA, for rural persons living with disabilities.
2024
CHIETA funds STEM programme for 72 grade 11 female learners. Aligned to the DBE mandate to introduce Coding and robotics to the curriculum in 2025.
2024
Environmental awareness and greening of 8 project schools in Umlazi and Pinetown districts.
2024
Presentation at the Energy and Water Food Climate Nexus International summit where 100 attendees were also provided with Spekboom seedlings.
2024
In collaboration with NECDA and UNICEF, ELET roll-out of the National Parenting Program to 1,883 parents nationally. Basic first aid training for 75 persons living with disabilities.
2024
CHIETA continues to fund STEM programmes through capacity building workshops in Maths and Science for FET Educators.
- EDUCATION & SKILLS
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
- LANGUAGE & LITERACIES
MILESTONES
GALLERY
TESTIMONIALS
My name is Silindile Ntinga. I am 25 years old based in Durban. I am a Qualified ECD practitioner with a National Diploma in Early childhood development qualification NQF L5. I studied Early childhood Development at Elet under
HWSETA learnership from July 2019 -2021.
In 2023 June HWSETA and Elet offered me an Internship in Early childhood development, as I’m still doing my in-service training, I had been applying online for ECD practitioner vacancies. I was lucky enough to receive a call from Siyajabula Educare centre located in Hillcrest for a teaching position and I was
called for an interview.
The principal gave me feedback on my performance on the test that I wrote on the interview which she said left her speechless.
I am still waiting hopefully in prayer that I will become a teacher in that school.
I will forever be grateful for what HWSETA and ELET has done for me.I am who I am today because of them.
The ECD LEVEL 4 learnership to me was very successful because I've learned more on it, on how to behave as an ECD practitioner, how to work with communities in different families in the workplace as well as their children in their different domain n stages.
This learnership to me was fruitful because I now knew how to work with others as a team, how to communicate with them especially in the workplace because this will help us on how to protect n change the lives of families and children's we work with, because now I understand that in working together we will do more to change the lives of the communities we work with most of all our
children
I would like to thank HWSETA and ELET for giving an opportunity to be part of the Learnership and Internship Programme (2019-2024). The Learnership has been my stepping stone to pursue my dream of becoming an educator. It has helped me to gain knowledge and skills in working with children, adults, and communities. Through hard work, dedication, and commitment, I now hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Development.
My name is Zanele Rinchen Mnyandu I am from Luneburg area. I was very grateful to get the opportunity for the ECD Level 05 learnership.
I gained a lot of knowledge e.g improved my skills of teaching, and I developed other skills which I'm using even now with small children from different cultures, and I am also sharing my experience. I got from Elet with other ECD practitioners from other ECD centres.
From the learnership I have gained too much knowledge, experience, and motivation. I have been exposed to do many things that is different with different human beings, developed the skills of working with or dealing with different children, different
issues, finding solutions, suggestions, and support.
In teamwork collaboration, working hand in hand with parents for the best results in their children.
I am now employed by one of my neighbouring schools from which I was doing my practicals. I'm a grade R teacher now. Thank you once again Elet.
Ms E.N Magwaza, Chief Education Specialist: Umlazi District Teaching and Learning Services
As the Chief Education Specialist in Umlazi District for Teaching and Learning Services, my office has a long history of working closely with the Environment and Language Education Trust (ELET).
Over the last few years, their programs have proven to be instrumental in improving results in the area. It was a pleasure for my office to render administrative and other support to ELET for these important programs.
I would like to endorse ELET for future programs and place on record my appreciation for the impactful work that they undertake to make a difference in our country.
ECD ASSISTANT BRIDGET T TSHAWE
Becoming an ECD Assistant at ELET has been an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience. My journey began as a student in the AET programme, and to now be in a position where I can support others on their learning paths is something I hold with great pride and gratitude. Working with students who are training in ECD has deepened my understanding of the power of mentorship and the far-reaching impact of quality education. This role has not only strengthened my skills but also ignited a deeper passion for community development and lifelong learning.
Being part of a team that is committed to empowering future educators and creating lasting change within communities has been both inspiring and humbling. I am truly grateful for the growth, the purpose, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully through ELET.
ECD FACILITATOR SIYABONGA SHOZI
“Education is the key that unlocks the golden door of freedom”, this powerful African proverb captures the essence of my journey with ELET.
I walked into ELET as a young man driven by the desire for something greater. I earned my Level 4, then my Level 5 in ECD training , and with hard work and commitment, I now proudly serve as a facilitator here at ELET. Being able to give back to teach and uplift others just as I was, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.
My dream is to one day run my own ECD centre. But as they say, the future holds the answers and I’m walking toward it with purpose and passion.