Cutting the ribbon: From left to right – Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Horst Freitag; Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Hermann Battenberg, Principal of the school and Wido Schnabel, Board Member.   Credit: Torsten Koehler
 
The German International School Cape Town recently celebrated the official opening of their new state-of-the-art two-level multimedia library as part of their 130th anniversary commemorations. The library is one of the new additions to the school which recently underwent an R18 million upgrade to their facilities, partly funded by the German Government.  
 
In attendance at the celebration was Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Horst Freitag, the Consul General, Mr Roland Herrmann and all members of the school board.   
 
Through this upgrade the school maintains their reputation as a learning institution of excellence offering an international education. The upgrade encompassed the construction of a striking architectural four storey masterpiece building consisting of the multimedia library, eight new classrooms and a multi-function room with a view of opening their doors to more non-German speaking learners who could benefit from the school’s world class academic offerings.

At present the school teaches 760 pupils from varying backgrounds, growing from last year’s number of 720.  The school currently offers four streams – two German speaking streams and two English speaking streams aimed at children whose mother tongue is not German.  
 
The German International School Cape Town is for us in the Western Cape a symbol of “ithemba” – a symbol of hope. Hope is an acronym for “Higher Opportunities for People to Excel” and I am very happy that the German International School Cape Town is delivering “ithemba” in Africa,” says Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport.  
 
The multimedia library includes ample computers and ipads, all with internet connectivity which learners can access for educational purposes. Additionally, each of the eight new classrooms is equipped with interactive whiteboards and a computer with internet access while the multi-function room is used for amongst others, events, exams and staff training which is a priority for the school.  
 
Considerable investment has also been ploughed into the school’s existing canteen and aftercare facility. This is of particular importance for the peace of mind of working parents knowing that while not in their care, their children receive daily balanced meals and are in a safe, education enriching environment.  
 
"I am proud to join today's very special occasion. There is no better investment than in the most precious resource of any nation – the education of the next generation. The German Government's long-term investment into the German International School Cape Town is also paving the way for German and South African children from all walks of life to become open-minded, multilingual, responsible, as well as contributing citizens. I am particularly pleased that these additional facilities are giving more children from the greater Cape Town community the opportunity to access the excellent standard of education this school offers," says Dr Horst Freitag, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
The school prides itself on academic excellence and also aims to enrich the learners through various activities in the fields of music, culture, sciences and sports. The German International School Cape Town offers all learners from South Africa a unique opportunity to qualify with both the South African Secondary Certificate and German Abitur which allows entry into any South African, German or other European University.     
 
Each year the German International School Cape Town invites non-German-speaking learners from Grade 5 to apply for a place at the school and to take the entrance examination. These learners do not need any German background as they will study German intensively to prepare for the integrated high school where they will be exposed to German culture and taught bilingually according to South African and German curricula.
 
For more information about the school, curricula and entrance examinations for 2014 which will be taking place on 25 May and 17 August, contact +27(0)21 480 3830 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
About the German International School Cape Town:  
 
The German International School Cape Town / Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt (DSK) is firmly established as a place of mutual encounter in the educational environment of the Western Cape, with a proud history spanning 125 years.  
 
The German International School Cape Town offers German-speaking children a primary and secondary education in accordance with German curricula.   
 
In secondary education, the students are taught bilingually according to South African and German curricula.
 
Non-German-speaking learners are accepted from grade 5 to learn German intensively and to be prepared for the integrated high school.  
 
For more information visit the German International School Cape Town's official website.