Nganga Primary School Story

From Water to Growth: A Dream Realized at Nganga Primary School

In 2023, Todd Nelson met local sustainability activist Nez Mlenzana in rural South Africa. During their conversation, Nez shared a simple but powerful vision: with access to clean water, Nganga Primary School could grow more than just crops; it could grow opportunity, nourishment, and hope for its students.

At the time, many children at the school faced daily challenges. Access to clean water was limited, and for many students, hunger made it difficult to focus and learn in the classroom.

That vision became reality when the Nelson Family Life Foundation funded the installation of a borehole at Nganga Primary School; providing a reliable source of clean, fresh water for the entire school community.

With water in place, Nez brought the next part of the vision to life. A food garden was planted, and with it came something even more meaningful: education and empowerment. Students began learning how to grow their own fruits and vegetables, gaining hands-on experience in organic gardening and sustainable practices.

Today, that garden does more than grow food, it helps provide daily, nutritious meals for the students, ensuring they are better nourished and ready to learn.

Each week, the garden also becomes an open-air classroom, where children are taught the fundamentals of self-sustainability, responsibility, and care for the land around them. What started as a single well has grown into something far greater; a thriving ecosystem of nourishment, education, and community pride.

Recently, Nganga Primary School was awarded 2nd place for Best Community Food Garden in South Africa, selected among more than 600 entries. An incredible achievement and a testament to what’s possible when vision meets opportunity.

This recognition belongs to the students, to Nez, and to the entire Nganga community. And it stands as a powerful reminder of the ripple effect that access to clean water can create.

The Nelson Family Life Foundation believes, that water is just the beginning. When communities have access to this essential resource, it opens the door to healthier lives, stronger education, and sustainable futures.

When you support Kalahari Resorts and the Nelson Family Life Foundation, you are part of stories like this—where one connection, one well, and one vision can change everything.