Startup Story
Providing a stimulating, safe learning environment for young children is key in Africa if they are to fulfill their potential. For entrepreneur and educator, Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng, founder of Apple Tree Montessori in South Africa, this need provided her with the inspiration to start her impact driven education business.
LoA chatted to Ntsiki this month to find out more about her passion for education and her entrepreneurial journey to date.
About the founder
Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng is the founder of Apple Tree Montessori in South Africa. She has 18 years’ experience in the education sector. 9 years in teaching, 6 in operations and management, and 4 years in research. She has taught in South Africa at pre-school, primary school and high school levels. She is now an Early Childhood Development Specialist in the Montessori Philosophy. Ntsiki's passion for children and her sense of wanting to create a legacy is derived from her teaching and entrepreneurial background, with her mother and her older siblings as educators and her father being a taxi owner and a small holdings farmer. She lives with her teenage son and her friend's twin daughters who all assist with the running of the pre-school. She says that it is important for her to involve them in the process of legacy creation, in that way they give it more respect and develop the love and passion for it. In 2012 she experienced a lot of anxiety but could not explain what she was going through. She started practicing yoga. In 2017 she qualified as a children's yoga instructor, and now yoga is part of the curriculum at Apple Tree Montessori. She says, ”Yoga teaches us to be in the moment with our emotions and let them go once the practice is over. Imagine a 3 or 4 year old who is able to express themselves without any limitations.”
“For the longest time, African children and children from rural and marginalized areas, have been underserved when it comes to Early Childhood Development services. Apple Tree Montessori is for those communities and by those communities.”
What does your company do?
Apple Tree Montessori is an early childhood development playgroup that was established in 2019 to address the need for more African Educational institutions that provide a stimulating learning environment for the African child. The playgroup was founded with an understanding that each child arrives with their own story and all they need is guidance to tell that story. Our methods of teaching employ scientifically designed tools that target specific stages of development universal to all children. Our curriculum strongly emphasizes on incorporating the African worldview in all that we teach. We provide a foundation for African values and systems. Our "One in 54" programme infuses African cultures in all the learning areas.
What inspired you to start your company?
The inspiration behind Apple Tree Montessori came in 2010 when I needed a preschool for my then 3 year old son. Being an educator, and coming from a family of educators myself, I wanted a school that felt like home for me and my son. When I struggled to find that sort of school, I wondered what other African parents were going through when searching for schools for their children. I decided to work and study part-time, to pursue my career in Early Childhood Development majoring in Montessori philosophy. The apple seed was planted then.
“Our services are not exclusively for African families, but they are our first priority. Anyone else who really wants to learn about diversity and inclusion are also welcome.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
For the longest time African children, and children from rural and marginalized areas have been underserved when it comes to Early Childhood Development(ECD) services. Apple Tree Montessori is for those communities and by those communities. African people need representation in all aspects of their life and it should start with Education in ECD. Our services are not exclusively for African families, but they are our first priority. Anyone else who really wants to learn about diversity and inclusion are also welcome.
Tell us a little about your team
We have Lesedi Mahibila, she is a Dramatic arts student whose passion is in teaching little ones about different types of production and she loves cooking. When the need arises, she teaches drawing and cooking.
Kelebogile Mahibila is Lesedi's twin sister. She is the most compassionate and patient person when it comes to the little ones. She is currently an assistant in the 3- to 6-year-old environment, and she is studying towards a qualification in Psychology.
Mpho Rasepae is the 18 month to 3-year old’s' directress. She has been working with children in formative years since 2006. She loves telling stories in Setswana, reading and working in the garden.
Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng, is the founder, directress and yoga instructor at Apple Tree Montessori. She enjoys cooking with the kids, reading, DIY projects, traveling, and she is also a novice gardener.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I don’t have any formal entrepreneurial background. I have fond memories of driving around in one of my father’s taxis collecting and counting the passengers fare. My exposure in the education space piqued my interest in the education business. It was when I was doing my first year in university that I knew I wanted to open my own school. I just didn't know how to at the time, so I decided to differ my dreams. The need for this school came back in 2010 and I felt that I had enough support and resources to start the pre-school and the rest would follow as I went along.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our plan is to collaborate with organisations/individuals who are like minded and want to elevate the Black communities across South Africa and beyond. We have just launched the Adopt-A-3-year-old campaign, where we appeal to corporates and individuals to sponsor a 3-year-old or two for a period of three years (2022 to 2025).
We are also partnering with an NGO in Mpumalanga on a similar campaign but slightly bigger in terms of our reach and that involves an Afgri-Academy. We want the school in Mpumalanga to be our teaching school where Training and Development will be provided for our directresses and student teachers. All in all our plans include a Training and Development Institution - satellite schools across South Africa.
“Our plan is to collaborate with organisations / individuals who are like minded and want to elevate the Black communities across South Africa and beyond.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Knowing that I am creating a legacy that will outlive me is satisfactory for me. When my children are involved and they get to see and reap the rewards for generations to come. Being an eternal learner also gives me satisfaction, together with the relationships that are formed with like-minded people in different industries.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Once you have identified your passion, research and learn the business in and out. Learn the laws, rules and processes that govern that industry. Talk to people in that industry and find out who is who, then make your presence known.
Learn your target market and decide if that is the target market you want to serve. Once you have decided, your decision must be unwavering, because there will be people who will want to convince you otherwise.
You are your first customer, your product/service should be so good that you are proud to carry it or wear it boldly.
Immediately after registering your company/NPO/Corporate find an accountant or bookkeeper or administrator. You can't do everything, your focus should be on perfecting your product /art.
Contact or follow Apple Tree Montessori
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL ntsiki@appletreemontessori.africa
Why LoA loves it…
Education provides a pathway to opportunity, and the younger that learning can start, the better it is for the child. But providing access to such early learning opportunities in South Africa’s rural and marginalized areas is a challenge. That is where passionate, impact driven entrepreneur, Ntsiki Gwendolyn Bereng and her wonderful Apple Tree Montessori play such an important role. Her educational and business models are geared towards making a real difference in young children’s lives and providing them with the right start in life so they have access to better opportunities when they grow up. Ntsiki is an inspiration and is positively changing childrens’ lives on a daily basis. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa