Amai Academy: Planting Seeds of Learning and Heritage in Makhanda
- activateeditor
- Nov 1
- 3 min read
By Buhle Malgas
In the quiet outskirts of Farmerfield farm, an abandoned school is being given new life. Where cracked walls and overgrown grass once stood as symbols of neglect, a vibrant vision is emerging, one that blends education, art, and heritage. This vision is called The Amai Academy, a passion project led by Unathi Koboka, Rhodes Music Radio station manager, and Xolile Madinda from The Black Power Station. Set to open in January 2026, The Amai Academy will house two blocks: one for early childhood development (ECD) and another for an art school and skills development centre. Beyond classrooms, it will also have gardens where children learn to plant, grow, and harvest. During the Steve Biko commemoration day at the Black Power Station on the 12th of September 2025, Unathi explained the name’s deep meaning: “Amai is a Shona word meaning mother, and this Academy to me is my baby.”
The Academy is more than just a school. Inspired by the philosophy of Steve Biko and the spirit of Ubuntu, the founders envision it as a space that nurtures the mind, soul, and body. No child should ever have to grow up without schooling or not have access to a good education because of finances or placement. They want to use art deliberately, not just as decoration, but as a learning tool. Unathi’s background in studying social work, with a focus on early childhood development, shapes this approach. Fascinated by how young children teach each other through play and non-verbal communication, she emphasises that quality education is not only about resources, but about the environment and experiences children are exposed to.
Having attended Model C schools or private schools, Unathi saw firsthand the difference in exposure, where children encountered concepts like scientific diffusion early on, compared to peers in under-resourced schools. The Amai Academy seeks to bridge that gap, offering world-class learning experiences in rural Makhanda, well beyond the government’s minimum standards. The Academy’s story began when Unathi discovered a forgotten school building in a Farmerfield farm in 2024. Complete with a church and accommodation facilities, it was a space waiting to be revived. From late 2024 to July 2025, volunteers have helped clean, paint, fill cracks, and prepare the grounds, including a garden that will feed the children. Self-funded so far, the Academy welcomes donations, financial or any kind of donations, to help it grow. Every contribution helps lay another brick in building a future where education is not a privilege but a right.
Inside the classrooms, art will sit at the heart of learning, while outside, green open spaces will give children room to play, connect with nature, and grow. “I love rural spaces, the peace, the mountains, and the fresh air,” Unathi shares. “And I want children to grow up in an environment that’s calm, safe, and nurturing.” The Amai Academy also seeks to support the wider community. The Academy will also provide a haven for children who lack stable parental care, addressing social challenges like alcoholism that affect local families. “We want to close developmental gaps and give both children and parents positive alternatives,” says Unathi.
In many ways, The Amai Academy embodies the essence of Makhanda, a town where heritage, struggle, and creativity are deeply intertwined. Just as Steve Biko once reminded us of the power of identity and culture, the Academy reminds us that education rooted in Ubuntu can transform not only children, but entire communities. In the soil of the Farmerfield farm, seeds of hope are waiting to be planted. And just like the garden that will soon bloom outside the classrooms, this Academy is proof that with care, patience, and vision, something beautiful can grow.
To support the Amai Academy, donations can be made to:
Unathi Koboka, founder of Amai Academy
0659135610
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