Showdown outside Durban school over places for immigrant children

Immigrant parents were joined by South African parents to demand that children of immigrants be admitted to Addington Primary School. Photo: Tsoanelo Sefoloko

Dozens of parents demonstrated outside Addington Primary School in Point, Durban, on Wednesday, demanding that immigrant children be admitted to the school. Several South African parents were among the protesters.

In a counter-protest, members of the anti-immigration March and March movement demanded that South African learners be prioritised.

Addington is the only public primary school in the neighbourhood. It is overcrowded and at full capacity, with many children on the waiting list. Immigrant parents believe they are being discriminated against, while some South African parents believe there are too many immigrant children in the school.

Sandra Mafutha from the Democratic Republic of Congo said she has not yet received a response to her child’s application. “We are going to pay school fees; it’s not like our children are going to study for free. I am willing to pay any amount of money that will be required, as long as my children are admitted,” she said.

Nhlanhla Nkosi from the KwaZulu-Natal education department’s district office explained to the protesters that the school was overcrowded and that not every child could be placed there.

Member of the provincial legislature Sakhile Mngadi (DA) told GroundUp that admissions are done through the department of education, not the school. “No registrations are currently taking place at the level of the school … it is too late in the registration process … to be coming to a school trying to engage with the principal for a space,” said Mngadi.

Mngadi said that, according to the school principal, 30% of the school learners are from immigrant families. The principal was not available to confirm this.

The law protects immigrant children from discrimination.

But members of the March and March movement demanded that South African children be prioritised over immigrants. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said it is unfortunate that there are many immigrant children at the school. She had what she said was a list of 80 South African parents whose children have been on the waiting list since April 2025.

Masabatha Rahlina said they have been on the waiting list for months. “I am not living far from the school, that is why I wish that my child could be considered at this school,” said Rahlina.

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