The Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (DSJ) is a German international school in Parktown, Johannesburg. Founded in 1890, the DSJ is one of the oldest schools in the city and one of the largest German schools on the African continent. At present approximately 1050 learners of 27 different nationalities are taught at the DSJ. The Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg is an integrated school with a bilingual educational programme: it offers both Matric, the South African exit exam, and the German Abitur. Purpose The offerings of the DSJ strongly convey German tradition, language and culture, which is the focus for all streams of the school. The DSJ is also a school where learners from numerous nationalities and cultural backgrounds are educated. After an overwhelming vote by parents, the decision was taken to rename the school the ‘Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg’ in March 2003. This legacy continues with 35 nationalities represented amongst its 1100, most being in the kindergarten, learners in 2015. History Founding Founded in 1886, Johannesburg emerged after the discovery of gold, which saw many people flock to the area, including a large German community. This community wanted a school where their children would be taught in German. Plans started to take shape in 1888 but this ambitious undertaking failed in the following year due to a severe economic crisis. Despite this, Pastor Hermann Kuschke did not give up and started to give lessons at his home at the beginning of 1890 and later at the church of the Berlin Mission Community to a single learner, Ernst Ritter, the son of church board member J. Ritter. Only one year later, the number grew to 20 learners. They were taught Religion, German, English, Dutch, Arithmetic, Biology, History, Geography, Singing, Drawing and Gymnastics. Gold continued to attract more people to Johannesburg and the German population rose to approximately 4000. They collected and donated enough money so that in 1897 a new school could be built in Hillbrow. The property was a present from Paul Kruger, former President of the South African Republic. Mathilde Rolfes laid the foundation stone for the Deutsche Schule Johannesburg on 4 April 1897. First World War The DSJ was highly regarded in Johannesburg at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the outbreak of World War I brought an end to this positive development. Europe was embroiled in a bloody war, which also impacted on people of European heritage