Education is a right and not a privilege, but for 155 children in Zwehlihle this has effectively been denied them.
“There are more than 155 children in Hermanus that don’t attend school,” a spokesperson representing concerned residents of Zwelihle said. “This is a matter of concern; the children stay at home while their parents are working and it is not safe for them.”
Children, together with their parents and representatives, held a peaceful protest to municipal offices in Hermanus on 2 February.
“We held this protest on behalf of the parents and children that are not being accommodated at Qhayiya High School,” said the representative. “There is definitely a need for a second high school in Zwelihle.
“After a meeting with the parents, it was found that there are concerns over the number of learners in Qhayiya High School, the number on the waiting list and a need for a second high school in Zwelihle.”
Addressing the protesters, Mayor of the Overstrand Dr Annelie Rabie said she will walk the extra mile to help the concerned parents.
“If the residents are unhappy, it affects me,” she said. “Luckily we have the Circuit Manager of the Western Cape Education Department, John Philander, here to listen to your grievances.”
The Mayor also committed the Zwelihle Community Hall to be made available if there is a shortage of classrooms.
“The lack of space in schools is a huge problem in South Africa, and I want to urge parents to register their children on time,” she said.
Rabie also thanked those attending the protest for the way in which they handled it.
The memorandum stipulated that the three mobile classrooms that were due to be added to Qhayiya High School should be erected by the end of this month, and the children on the school’s waiting list should be accommodated at the community hall or RDP centres.
A follow-up meeting was held on Monday 6 February, but at the time of going to press the outcome of the meeting was not yet available.
