Children First

The Ningizimu Art Programme

Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped was started in Lamontville Township, south of the City of Durban, and is currently situtated in the Durban suburb of Montclair. With a current enrolment of 240 pupils drawn mainly from the surrounding townships of Durban, the learners in general come from very poor homes, where often both parents are unemployed.

Under the inspiration and guidance of Robin Opperman, Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped Art Programme has just entered its eleventh year.

Offering prevocational training that is based on income generation and linking its learners to the community in the most creative ways possible, learners are encouraged to develop and grow, and to work with a variety of materials in order to produce pieces of art and craft which can be sold. The learners then receive the proceeds from these sales. By encouraging them to share their skills, learners train members of the community in crocheting scrap plastic into useful items, to name but one of the School's projects. Other projects include special banners commissioned for the 2003 Writers Festival.

In 2001 the School was recipient of the National Teaching Award for Excellence in Special Education. Cuurently (May, 2003) several exciting programmes and initiatives are in progress, including:


The Ningizimu Art Programme Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped was started in Lamontville Township, south of the City of Durban, and is currently situtated in the Durban suburb of Montclair. With a current enrolment of 240 pupils drawn mainly from the surrounding townships of Durban, the learners in general come from very poor homes, where often both parents are unemployed. Under the inspiration and guidance of Robin Opperman, Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped Art Programme has just entered its eleventh year. Offering prevocational training that is based on income generation and linking its learners to the community in the most creative ways possible, learners are encouraged to develop and grow, and to work with a variety of materials in order to produce pieces of art and craft which can be sold. The learners then receive the proceeds from these sales. By encouraging them to share their skills, learners train members of the community in crocheting scrap plastic into useful items, to name but one of the School's projects. Other projects include special banners commissioned for the 2003 Writers Festival. In 2001 the School was recipient of the National Teaching Award for Excellence in Special Education. Cuurently (May, 2003) several exciting programmes and initiatives are in progress, including: Ubuntu Co-operative: Baking, market gardening and craftwork French Cultural Institute Banner Project Sculpture Therapy Art Explore II: USA (in cooperation with the Social Action Project from the University of Indiana (South Bend), USA) Exchange Programmes: Canada & Germany Art, Craft & Income Generation through Recycling Street Children Art Initiative Uncebo Trust Fund Umlazi Craft Cooperative
For further details please contact: Robin Opperman Head: Department of Art and Technology Ningizimu School for the SMH Tel: (School) +27 (0)31 469 0767 Tel: (Home) +27 (0)31 305 3408 Fax: +27 (0)31 305 6090 Cell: +27 (0)83 793 3408 Email: robino@telkomsa.net Website: www.home.telkomsa.net/tabby