Parents protesting outside the legislative building in Wale Street demanding a new school. Photo by Mihle Pike.
30 January 2013
On Friday, 25th of January, residents and parents from Zwelitsha and Nkanini gathered to protest at the legislative buildings in Wale Street, demanding a new school for their children.
Samkelo Mqomboti, an educational activist from Save our Schools Campaign said, “We have to deal with overcrowded classes and a lack of learning space for young students, so we are here to get the MEC to consider building a new Primary School in the area of Zwelitsha.”
“We hope that the MEC will consider putting a temporary structure in place that can stand in as a relief space for the existing primary school and accommodate learners who were not able to register at over-crowded schools”, said Mqomboti.
Phumla Feketsha, a resident and a parent from Zwelitsha, said, “We want a school for our kids.The distance they have to walk each morning is too long”.
Ward councillor and member of the ANC, Andile Lili, said, “We want the kids to have access to proper education”. He stated that he was attending the march as a concerned parent, not for political reasons.
A memorandum was sent to Zak Mbhele, Spokesperson for Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, as well as Michael Wilter, a representative for the Minister of Education. The document called for the construction of a new school and the availability of mobile classes during interim.
Emails and telephone calls to Donald Grant’s office were not responded to.