HUMANSDORP – A clean-up campaign led by former learners and a local non-profit organisation has brought renewed hope to Mzingisi Primary School in KwaNomzamo, Humansdorp, following ongoing vandalism and damage to the school’s property.
Retired social worker, Dr Nontsikelelo Majola, a former learner who joined Mzingisi Primary when it first opened in 1979, recently returned to her alma mater and discovered that the school needed assistance after vandalism had occurred.
Majola founded the non-profit organisation Ubuhlanti Community Development Center in October 2024 after noticing various negative elements in her community when she moved back to Humansdorp.
The organisation was officially registered in January 2025, and she now serves as its secretary, focusing on fighting vandalism and gangsterism in the community.
“The school has been broken into multiple times, and various items were stolen, such as garden tools, equipment, a lawn mower and food from their feeding scheme. The ceiling has been damaged, copper has been stolen and the windows are broken. A lot of damage has been done to the school,” said Majola.
On 28 February, Ubuhlanti, together with former learners and community members, began cleaning the school and clearing the overgrown bush behind the premises.
Majola explained that criminals often jump over the fence where the bush is located to gain entry.
“We have identified these entrance spots, and we are working towards improving the safety of the school premises,” said Majola.
She believes that when people enter an institution, the environment tells a story and shapes their mood, as it directly influences concentration and psychological well-being.
Majola also highlighted that there is no playground for learners and shared that since establishing the NPO, former learners located throughout South Africa have started a WhatsApp group to share ideas on how to improve the condition of the school.
Thankfully, she said that community members have also generously assisted by guarding the school overnight.
Majola said that following unsatisfactory service from the security company hired to guard the school, a resolution was found after a meeting between the school and the company.
Elaborating on the resolution, she said that they have agreed that the security company’s office will be located on the school’s premises.
“We have received positive feedback from the school after the cleaning initiative began,” said Majola.
She added that many learners in Humansdorp begin their education at Mzingisi Primary, and she therefore used the opportunity to encourage young children to stay away from negative elements within the community.
Since they are a newly registered NPO, Majola said that they do not have funding, but are desperately in need of an office and volunteers to help improve the situation in their community.
She said that they would appreciate volunteers to assist with the continuation of the cleaning project.
Principal Mzolisi Nikani described Mzingisi Primary as a quintile 3 school situated in a community affected by unemployment and substance abuse, adding that the school has been under constant attack by criminals.
“The vandalism at the school has continued for more than five years but has intensified in the last year,” said Nikani.
“The vandalism occurs almost every weekend and during the school holidays.”
Nikani said that it has been a strenuous exercise for the school to replace stolen and damaged items.
He has appealed to the public to offer their support to the volunteers by providing them with refreshments as they intend to continue with the clean-up initiative until the school is completely clean.
“I am happy that the community has come on board to assist in improving the school,” said Nikani.
“I believe that the criminals will now see that the community is involved in the school, which will stop the vandalism.”
