Back to: Home Page
The concept of Sunfield Homes emerged from the then Transvaal Magaliesberg Children's Home which was started in August 1953. The Highveld climate proved unsuitable so Sunfield Homes purchased the present property in Howick in February 1955 and modeled it on a similar Rudolf Steiner home in England.
The home began as a private enterprise, however, as needs expanded it became increasingly difficult to cope with financial demands and as a result it was decided to form a committee of parents and friends which gave rise to the "Sunfield Home Association" - a non-profit making company.
In January 1957, the association bought the property from Mr and Mrs Schafer and fund-raising committees were formed in Durban and Johannesburg to help raise the required sum of money. By April 1962 the property had been paid for as were the necessary alterations which were needed to cater for the number of residents which had increased to forty: 12 females and 28 males.
Upon the retirement of the Schafers, all ties with the Rudolf Steiner movement were severed. Three other Sunfield Homes and a school for children under eighteen were started - one near Johnnesburg - Sunfield Home Logwood, one near Balfour - Sunfield Home Fortuna, one in the Cape - Sunfield Home Wellington, and the school near Verulam - Sunfield Home Langholme. These Homes are each autonomous and administered by Section 21 companies, though all form part of the "Sunfield Family".
Schafer House
