Forty-two-year-old Duduzile Pitsi Malapane never imagined owning a school.
Born in Springs and raised in Duduza and Kwa-Thema, she now leads the Divine Montessori School, an early childhood development (ECD) centre in Selcourt.
Malapane admits she once believed “a black person couldn’t do” what she has achieved. During the Covid-19 lockdown, her husband noticed her natural patience and creativity while she studied EDC.
“He saw how I taught by nature,” she said.
“When we researched the Montessori method, it clicked. I wanted black families to enjoy this approach to learning.”
Despite her success, she has faced doubts and criticism.
“Some assume I’m a front, that my husband runs the school, or that big companies back us. I’ve even lost clients who refused to follow our rules because it’s my school,” she explained.
She also hears, “How can a black-owned service charge premium fees?”
Few understand the unseen costs: limited support from corporate sponsors or government agencies.
Her strongest allies are her husband, now the CFO, and their children.
“His expertise fast-tracked our progress. Our kids pray with me, join every event, and use their talents to help,” she said.
Motherhood transformed her life and healed the wounds of her childhood.
“It saved me. I may not have been the perfect daughter, wife or friend, but I’ve given motherhood my best,” she said.
She recalls feeling insecure about her light-brown curly hair, wishing for thick black hair like her friends.
“I wanted to grow up already so I could change my appearance,” said Malapane.
Living with her grandmother in Kwa-Thema gave her a safe space. She had her own room and could decorate it any way she pleased, a sense of independence she had not previously experienced.
Now a psychology student with a Montessori diploma from the South African College of Applied Psychology, Malapane remains driven.
Divine Montessori employs 12 staff, and she was shortlisted for best female entrepreneur in education at the Founders of the Year Awards.
“I’m still on the journey. I’m a perfectionist, so I celebrate little. But looking back, I see how God carried me,” she said.
When asked to advise other women aspiring to build something of their own, she had a simple response, “Start with what you have. Don’t wait for funding or a perfect moment. With God by your side, anything is possible.”
Duduzile Malapane founded Selcourt’s Divine Montessori School. Photo: Duduzile Malapane.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.