With the school growing too small for its Pretoria city centre facilities, DSP’s current property was purchased in 1969.

In 1988 the DSP launched an outreach “Education Builds Bridges,” aimed at previously-disadvantaged learners from Mamelodi and Eersterust.

“The decision of the German School was courageous and gave additional impetus to the process of democratisation of South Africa”, said Motlanthe.

It is founded on the German Education model of teaching, which emphasizes developing independence in children, encourages critical thinking, supports children taking ownership for their learning process, and stresses the development of creative problem-solving skills.

At the end of Grade 9, in preparation for entry to Secondary School II, learners decide whether they want to follow the German Kombi-Abitur or the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) Programme.

This can then be supplemented by the German Language Diploma (DSD II), which qualifies a learner to study in Germany.