The 142-year-old school, one of eight missionary schools in the Province, was unique in that it was started as a joint effort by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Mfengu community. A total of ₤1500 was collected which was at the time a large amount of money for a very poor rural area. The school was subsequently established in 1877. The then Division of Transkei Chief Magistrate and resident commissioner for the area, Captain Matthew Blyth, also played a big role in the establishment of the school.