Our Rich History

Our Rich History & Heritage

The school was established in Durban no. 90 Cross Street by the civil organisations under the leadership of the late Mam' Florence Mkhize and Fatima Meer in 1986

The history of Phambili High School began in 1986, during the Apartheid era, with a mission to support learners who were victims of the oppressive system. Operating as a private school, it was funded by NGOs like UNESCO with support from the ANC. From its early days, Phambili stood as a beacon of educational hope for disadvantaged communities.

Initially a finishing school, it soon transformed into a full high school offering Grades 8 to 12. The school expanded to two campuses—Mayville and Rossburgh Seaview. After the Mayville campus closed, the 244 Sarnia Road, Seaview site became the only official Phambili High School campus.

In 1997, the school was incorporated into the public education system. Today, its legacy continues through a strong commitment to academic excellence and community upliftment, rooted in a proud and resilient history.

School Transition and Recovery Journey

Loss of Vision Amidst Structural Shifts

Following its incorporation as a public school in 1997, Phambili High School faced significant challenges in maintaining its original mission and vision. The shift brought new departmental rules and education policies that often clashed with the school’s founding values and its historical commitment to serving the most socially and economically disadvantaged learners. Although deeply rooted in a legacy of upliftment, the school found itself bound by frameworks that did not align with the realities of its community.

Misaligned Quintile Classification and Funding Challenges

A major turning point came with the school’s classification as a Quintile 5 school, a label usually reserved for the most well-resourced institutions. This classification was based on the school’s geographical location rather than its learner demographics or financial capacity. Unlike ex-model C schools like Glenwood—which continued to receive substantial support from historic funders—Phambili High School, serving Quintile 1 to 3 learners, was left with minimal departmental support.

Further compounding this challenge, international funding bodies that once sustained the school had redirected their resources to the government, under the belief that democratic leadership would ensure equitable distribution. Unfortunately, this shift resulted in decreased support for schools like Phambili. The lack of funding began to reflect in critical areas such as infrastructure, academic resources, and notably, the Grade 12 results, leading to a drop in community and institutional confidence.

A Turning Point: Leadership and Renewed Purpose

The year 2012 marked a crucial shift for Phambili High School. A new School Management Team (SMT), including the appointment of a new principal, ushered in a renewed sense of purpose and strategic engagement. This fresh leadership critically assessed the mismatch between the school’s classification and the community it serves.

Through dialogue and evaluation, the team acknowledged that while the school was operating under Quintile 5 standards, its learner base remained primarily from Quintile 1 to 3 communities. This contradiction spurred a school turnaround strategy focused on realigning goals, mobilizing support, and striving to meet the operational excellence of well-resourced ex-model C schools.

Florence Mkhize

Mkhize helped raise money in the 1980s for the Phambili High School, which helped educate.

In the 1980s, Mama Flo and other comrades flew to Amsterdam to raise funds to establish a school for children who were refused admission to township schools because their parents were politically active. Phambili High School was founded after this trip.

Fatima Meer

1972
Fatima Meer was Founder member of the Institute for Black Research (IBR) a research and publishing venture.
It also embarks on publishing and outreach programmes in education and welfare.

1986
The IBR started Phambili High School at three centres with an enrollment of 3044 students in two shifts.
It had, at the time, the highest enrollment of African matriculants at any high schools [450 students], in the country.

2010
March 13, Fatima Meer, 81, dies at the St Augustines hospital in Durban following a stroke she suffered two weeks before her death.

2012-2020 School Development & Improvement

Renovation

2015: Natal Portland Cement [NPC] renovated Library and Science lab.
2016: Afrisam Company developed Computer Lab.
2017: Icon Company develop Dramatic Arts Classroom
2018: Plascon Company Donated paint for 247 Sarnia road building

Science Lab Equipment Donation

IQRAA Trust donated science lab equipment

Reclaiming of Building

On February 23, 2020; The school claimed back 247 Sarnia Road School building which was hijacked by illegal tenants for more than 20 years

New Classroom Development

Covid -19 new classroom development in progress in 2020. Completed in February 2021

Matric Performance Improvement

Year	Pass Rate
2013	30.5%
2014	35.5%
2015	50.5%
2016	60.1%
2017	68.8%
2018	69.9%
2019	81.9%
2020	84.4%
2021	87%
2022	89.5%
2023	88.7%
2024	91.5%
2025	91.4%