David Ndodana
Sipho Tshabalala
The Gauteng Provincial Government embarked on a #BackToSchool campaign to assess learners’ and educators’ readiness for the start of the 2025 academic year.
All members of the Provincial Executive Council (MECs) were deployed to various parts of Gauteng to conduct oversight by visiting primary, secondary schools and early childhood development centres.
On 20 January 2025, MEC for Roads and Transport Ms Kedibone Diale-Tlabela was joined by officials from Department of Community Safety Road Safety’s Promotions Unit, Road Accident Fund (RAF) and other stakeholders for a visit to Nageng Primary School in Vosloorus in the City of Ekurhuleni.
She handed over bicycles o learners as part of the Shovakalula to assist those who walk long distances to and from school. Trees were also planted in the school.
She later held a session with scholar transport operators in the area on road safety, vehicle roadworthiness and democratization of the sector, amongst other things.
Later in the week, on the 24 January 2025, the MEC conducted oversight visits to three schools in the Sedibeng District.
She visited Mahaladitoe Secondary School, Tshepong primary and secondary schools as well as the Relebohile Day Care Centre. The Department donated bicycles, dignity packs, conducted road maintenance around the schools whilst traffic law enforcement operations were underway. There was tree planting in all the institutions.
The MEC was accompanied by the Emfuleni Executive Mayor Cllr Sipho Radebe, District Directors of Sedibeng, ward councillors, school governing body members and community leaders.
At Mohaladitoe Secondary School, the MEC was received by the principal and District Director; Ms. Seriting. The principal provided a school profile and highlighted its successes and challenges. Ms Seriting pointed to the drop in matric 76% (2024) compared to 93% in 2023. The school has set a target of 95% for the 2025 academic year. The school has a capacity of approximately 1300 learners.
Challenges included vandalism of property, crime in the school vicinity as well as lack of electricity – the school is dependent on generators as it is not connected to the grid.
In her address, MEC Diale-Tlabela expressed gratitude for the commitment and passion displayed by the principal in educating future leaders. “My reason for being here is to listen to you, so that the Gauteng Provincial Government can assist”, said the MEC.
She appealed for partnerships with communities and law-enforcement officials to combat crime around the school. She also raised concerns about matric results fluctuations, hoping the school will maintain a favourable rate in the future. After the briefing, the MEC addressed learners and encouraged them to focus on their studies for a brighter tomorrow. “You mean a lot to us and the country as future leaders, and you are our kids and not of your parents only” she added.
She then proceeded to the Relebohile Day Care Centre that currently accommodate twenty kids. She looked around centre a tree was planted.
The MEC then visited Tshepong Secondary School, a newly established school. The school opened its doors in 2025 and caters for learners from Grade 8 until 11, with an enrolment of 1126 learners and 27 staff members.
Acting principal, Ms. Nkabinde welcomed the MEC and gave a brief history of the school and challenges they face. Chief amongst these were shortage of educators.
Accompanying the MEC, Emfuleni Executive Mayor Cllr Radebe indicated there was an engagement with the community before the start of the new school. “When we started Tshepong Primary School, we took a principal from Sicelo Primary School to act as acting new principal”. The mayor explained.
In her address, MEC Diale-Tlabela said “the future of the children is in your hands, and this is a beautiful opportunity for you to start your careers, as most of you are still young. This is your opportunity also to lay your standards, set your own rules.”
She further assured staff the Gauteng Provincial Government is behind them, and that the community and the learners must assist them in becoming a “school of choice”.
“You are the foundation of this new school, and it must be the best school, and no ill-discipline will be tolerated” she warned learners. She later donated Shovakalula bicycles.
The MEC concluded her Sedibeng oversight tours with a visit to Tshepong Primary School. Opening its doors in 2020, the school has a capacity of 1900 learners. In his welcoming remarks, Cllr Radebe noted “the resilience of the community and their leaders for making sure that the school is built.”
“Let’s go back to school and rebuild, and form partnerships”, was the MEC’s message to school management, community members and learners.
MEC Diale-Tlabela wrapped up the #BackToSchool2025 campaign in Tshwane on Tuesday, 28 January 2025.
She was accompanied by GDE’s Tshwane North District Director, Mr. Zukile Kosi and officials. The entourage first visited Lesedi Secondary School under principal Mr. Simon Mojapelo. The school has a total of 67 staff members, with a learner enrolment of 1048 learners. The school achieved a matric pass rate of 94.6% in 2024, and this academic year registered 218 grade twelve learners. The school has also produced a learner who achieved seven distinctions in 2024.
“Because of the quality of matric results in the school, the University of Pretoria has partnered with the school” the principal said. He briefed the MEC about the challenges faced by the school, which included overcrowding, lack staff room and offices for school management team as well poor road conditions around the school.
The MEC indicated the Department will look into attending to poor roads and went on to encourage the formation of partnerships with local businesses and the community. “We must also arrange a meeting with GDE (Department of Education) and DID (Department of Infrastructure Development) in order to discuss the land issue”.
In her address to learners, she touched on discipline indicating that “life is about taking responsibility for your actions, and you need to be ambassadors of your school, as its name will go down with you. We don’t want bullying at the school”.
She further encouraged learners to put their school on the map. “Our backgrounds do not define who we are, and we are here to build partnerships with you”. She then went on to hand over school bicycles to deserving learners.
Her last visit was to Boschkop Primary School, whose principal Mr. Joseph Ntuli also provided its profile. He indicated it is a no-fee-paying, farm school with a total learner enrolment of 1300.
Its challenges ranged from impassable roads, burglary, broken toilets and shortage of desks.
The visit was also attended by Chief Mtshweni of the Mtshweni Traditional Council. Speaking on behalf of the chief, Mr Sipho Nkosi said “we have adopted the rural schools such as Boschkop and Wozanibone, as they are far from other resources”. He added the school used to be a meeting place for the community, to discuss and reflect on issues affecting it.
“All of us have to play a role in building the school and held each other accountable” the MEC said. She made a commitment to the principal and traditional leaders that all issues raised will be referred to the Gauteng Department of Education for their attention. MEC proceeded to hand over school uniform and dignity packs.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
