Children have to cross river to get to school
They stay on a farm where her husband works and the mother waits weekdays at 3pm for her 12-year-old and six-year-old.
A mother of four children contacted the Standerton Advertiser a while ago about her struggle to get two of her children safely to school.
The family has to cross a river, involving taking off their shoes, to reach the other side of the bank for the children to walk to Ulwazi Primary School in Thuthukani.
They stay on a farm where her husband works and the mother waits weekdays at 3pm for her 12-year-old and six-year-old.
“The children have to walk a long way and even have to cross a railway line,” she said.
The question as to how deep the river is, was met with a mother’s concern.
“I am worried, because it is very dangerous.”
Most of the other workers on the farm have relocated to Thuthukani itself and the owner, Mr Willie Steenkamp, fetches his workers himself when Leeuspruit is in flood.
After receiving images of their plight, the newspaper contacted the principal of the school, Leeuspruit, who said the family has not spoken to him although he is aware of challenges when a river is full.
According to the mother, the principal is aware of the problem.
Mr Tsotetsi referred us to the circuit manager of the Department of Education of Lekwa East, Ms Sophia Bohata, and the newspaper contacted her on Friday, 4 October and left a message.
Another attempt was made on Monday, 7 October to reach Ms Bohata, but she was unavailable.
The newspaper managed to take photos of Leeuspruit on Thursday 3 October, when it was not so full, realising the daunting task the mother faces if the creek is in flood.
“The closing of farm schools, albeit only for primary school learners, has its advantages and disadvantages,” Mr Steenkamp said.
Readers will be informed of the challenges with his farm’s proximity to Tutuka Power Station and Thuthukani in the next edition.
