Learning and teaching resume at Siboshwa Primary
The school has reopened its doors following the recent community protests.
Learning and teaching have resumed at Siboshwa Primary School in Sibayeni following disruptions that were caused by community protests over the issue of it needing to be rebuilt.
The communities of several villages under the late Chief Siboshwa Ngomane in Nkomazi embarked on a protest that resulted in the closure of the R571 on January 20.
They demanded that the provincial government rebuild the school, which is said to be dilapidated.
The chairperson of Umbutho we Bahlali, Mxolisi Mabuza, said the school was dilapidated as the community built it with poles and mud in 1956. Umbutho we Bahlali is a community organisation advocating for the development of the Nkomazi area.
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“Our organisation holds the government accountable in terms of service delivery, jobs for our people, crime and everything that affects the community, as well as seeing to it that local businesses are empowered,” said Mabuza.
He said the demands for a new school dated back to 2019, when the provincial education department promised it would soon be built as there was budget for that purpose.
Mabuza explained that the department, however, installed makeshift classes in the form of containers in 2020. “The containers are now damaged as well. Drug addicts, prostitutes, homeless people and criminals are now utilising these containers for their own benefit,” said Mabuza.
Subsequently, the education MEC, Cathy Dlamini, and her team travelled to Nkomazi on January 22, and held a meeting with the community stakeholders. “During the meeting, Dlamini presented a comprehensive plan for the construction of a new school and outlined the department’s efforts to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to provide a conducive environment for learning and teaching,” said the provincial education spokesperson, Gerald Sambo. “The construction of the new school is scheduled to commence in the 2026/27 financial year, following the required administrative processes.”
He said Dlamini emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue and urged the communities to explore all available channels for addressing concerns, rather than resorting to protest actions.
Mabuza confirmed the learners had returned to school and said the community welcomed the latest promises Dlamini made.
