The Mpumalanga Department of Education has condemned what it termed ‘political exploitation of school premises’ following community-led repairs to Beestepan Agricultural High School.

This followed DA mayoral candidate Bosman Grobler and local donors repairing the library roof at the Middelburg school.

“We appreciate the goodwill and generosity demonstrated by members of the business community and other Good Samaritans who mobilised resources to repair the library roof at Beestepan Agricultural High School following the severe storm that affected the school on August 24. Such partnerships are welcomed and remain an important part of strengthening our collective response to challenges affecting schools,” the department said.

“They are also in keeping with the spirit and principles of the Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign, which seeks to mobilise communities and stakeholders to contribute towards improving the learning environment.

“Be that as it may, the department is concerned by attempts to portray this intervention as a political achievement and, more importantly, by the use of the school environment to advance partisan political interests. Schools are not political battlegrounds, and must at all times remain safe, neutral and protected spaces dedicated to teaching and learning.”

Department warns against using schools for campaign posturing

According to the department, “Learners should be able to pursue their education without being drawn into political campaigning, political messaging or partisan contestation. This principle must be respected by all political formations, irrespective of their ideological or political orientation.

“The department, therefore, cannot condone the use of Beestepan Agricultural High School, its learners, or the school’s infrastructure challenges as a platform for political campaigning or electoral posturing.
“While the department welcomes every genuine contribution towards improving the learning environment, community assistance must never become a vehicle for the political capture of schools.

Normalising such conduct carries serious long-term implications, including the risk of turning schools into arenas for political competition, undermining the integrity and authority of school leadership and governing bodies, and potentially dividing school communities along political lines.

“The department further wishes to clarify that the response to the storm damage should not be reduced to a political contest over who acted first or who deserves credit.

“The responsibility of government is to ensure that infrastructure challenges are addressed systematically, safely and sustainably. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with stakeholders, including the business community and Good Samaritans, without bringing partisan politics into the learning environment.

Official response prioritises upcoming matric examinations

“Emergency interventions by well-meaning partners are valuable, but they do not replace the department’s responsibility for proper assessment, infrastructure planning, compliance, quality assurance and the long-term maintenance of public school infrastructure.

“The department remains committed to working with the business sector, civil society, communities and other stakeholders through appropriate and transparent partnerships. When the public and private sectors work together, the beneficiaries must be learners and communities, not political parties.”

The department also rejected any suggestion that it is indifferent or slow to respond to the needs of learners.

“As the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations approach, our collective responsibility is to create a calm, safe and supportive environment in which Grade 12 learners can prepare for and write their examinations without unnecessary distractions.”

Mining company Canyon Coal handed over R1.45m in renovated facilities at Beestepan Agricultural High School on May 15, 2019, as part of its social and labour plan initiative for Singani Colliery.

• The school is approximately 34km from Canyon’s Singani Colliery. It is a no-fee public school with limited resources and caters for learners from the underprivileged surrounding communities.

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Good Samaritans repair storm-damaged roof at Beestepan Agricultural High School