Politics at the expense of children’s education
DIEPSLOOT - Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi arrived in Diepsloot and promised to open a new school on 21 July in the populous township.
However, no school was opened on 21 July in Diepsloot Ext 3, leaving residents and parents reeling with anger.
One resident, who declined to be identified, said Lesufi was conducting politics at the expense of their children’s education.
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“He made a bold promise in full glare of the media, but come 21 July, nothing happened and there is no explanation whatsoever,” said the resident.
Lesufi made the promise during a social imbizo [gathering] which was held at a Methodist church in Diepsloot Ext 10. The promise was made in the presence of members of the Fourways Review news team.
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Parents cheered and ululated as the MEC vowed to triumph over wars which are delaying the construction of the school.
“I will come back here on 21 July to open this school and I will give tablets to pupils and laptops to teachers,” said Lesufi much to the excitement of hundreds of parents.
Lesufi promised free drivers’ licence lessons to Grade 11 and 12 pupils.
The construction of the school has been in limbo for the past four months as local construction associations demanding a 10 percent stake in the tender before any brick and mortar could be put together.
Lesufi warned the Diepsloot construction mafias to leave his schools alone and vowed to speed up the building of the school.
Meanwhile, more than 2 000 pupils are cramming in container classrooms at Muzimuhle School in Ext 2 waiting to be moved to the new school that is still to be constructed.
DA councillor in the area, Refilwe Mathebula dismissed Lesufi’s promise as electioneering.
Mathebula said ANC leaders were now in campaign mode and spewing all kinds of promises which they will never fulfil.
“People keep on believing them even though it is clear that they are playing games with their minds. And children are suffering,” said Mathebula.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Phumla Sekhonyane gave Fourways Review a new date for the completion of the school. Sekhonyane said the school would be open by the end of August, adding that construction only started in June.
“Construction was delayed after community members chased the constructor off the site [but] we managed to sort out the issues,” said Sekhonyane.
She however did not explain why her superior promised to deliver on the initial agreed date despite the disputes and delays.
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