Ward 96 councillor Rufas Maswazi led Riverside View residents to take their concerns directly to government.

They embarked on a peaceful march to the Gauteng premier’s office to demand urgent intervention on scholar transport and the long-delayed construction of a local school on February 10.

Community activist Loyiso Toyiya explained that residents had reached a breaking point after learners were unable to attend school for the past two weeks due to unpaid scholar transport services. “Today, we’ve taken a resolution, together with community leaders, to embark on a march to the premier’s office.” He explained that scholar transport services were suspended after service providers allegedly were not paid by the department of education.

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Another major concern raised by residents is the absence of a school in Riverside, despite the community being home to more than 10 000 residents.

Toyiya said the lack of nearby schooling facilities has resulted in overcrowding at schools in neighbouring areas. “There’s no school here in Riverside. The overcrowding happening in nearby schools is because more than 2 000 learners attending schools in Diepsloot are coming from Riverside.”

Maswazi also voiced concern about the situation, confirming that non-payment of transport service providers had severely impacted learners.

He said engagements with the department of education had taken place. “The department told us they would meet with bus providers and make payment, but while that is happening, learners are still unable to attend schools.”

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Maswazi further highlighted that Riverside has existed for nearly 12 years without a school, despite ongoing engagement with various government departments. “We have been promised that there will be a school, but none of that has happened. The land for both a primary and a high school has already been serviced with water and electricity. All that is needed is for construction to begin.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Community activist Loyiso Toyiya speaks on behalf of Riverside parents and leaders as they mobilise to demand urgent government intervention as learners have missed two weeks of school due to suspended scholar transport services and Ward 106 councillor Rufas Maswazi highlights concerns over unpaid scholar transport service providers, who left learners unable to attend school for two weeks, while also calling for urgent progress on the long-promised construction of a local school in the community. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila #Fourways #Ward106 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

“We cannot accept the explanation that there is no money to pay service providers. Once government enters into a contract, it must honour it, because these providers are delivering a critical service to our learners.”Maswazi added that they hope the march will draw urgent attention to the challenges faced by Riverside residents, and lead to immediate solutions that ensure learners can return to school and that plans for a local school are implemented.

The Fourways Review reached out to the Gauteng department of education for comment. It will be published as soon as it’s received.

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