History of the school

A number of members of the Howick Methodist Church (HMC) had the vision to provide pre-primary education and an early childhood development programme for learners from underprivileged homes and poor resourced communities in the greater Howick community as part of the HMC ministry. Through the generous donation of Des Yelland the Thembelihle pre-primary school was established in May 1993 in the HMC Hall with 17 learners. In 2006 the HMC offered the use of the “Old Parsonage” at 8 Dicks Street which enabled the school to expand dramatically.

In 2008 the generosity of the Brentwood United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, through their sponsorship programme of learners and their assistance with the purchase of the HADCA buildings and property at 90 Main Street led to the new Pre-Primary school opening in January 2009. To meet the requirements for registration with the Department of Education Mr Andrew Rees and Mr Peter Rees contributed both financially and their expertise in the building of an ablution block. An application was submitted to KwaZulu Natal Department of Education, supported by the Midlands Circuit Manager and the Lions River Ward Manager, to register as a Junior Primary School opening in 2010. Due to financial constraints the application was withdrawn. Late in 2010 the HMC was approached to consider accommodating 120 learners of the Merit Christian School. Through the auspices of benefactors Dr Carolyn Hancock, Mr Laurence Hancock and Mrs Joan Hancock a further three classrooms were built at 90 Main Street, Howick. With the full support of the HMC the Merit Christian School was integrated into the Thembelihle pre-primary school which led to the opening of the Thembelihle Primary School (including its Pre-Primary Division) in January 2011.