Learners from Mbozisa Primary School in Mqanduli are forced to put their lives at risk during rainy days as they cross the Mbozisa river when coming from school, due to the lack of a proper bridge in that area.
Member of the School Governing Body (SGB), Liwelile Kiji, said that they always cross their fingers because they might be swept away by heavy floods while trying to get across, but they do not have alternatives.
He said that even teachers from this school are facing the same problem, because when it is raining their transport drops them far from school, and they are also forced to take off their shoes and cross this river when going to, or coming from school.
He said that it is painful because they tried to ask for help from the King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality but nothing happened.
The principal of Mbozisa Primary School, Bongiswa Mdutywa, confirmed the situation, stating that it is very bad and they are all at risk, including teachers.
She said that the bridge they are using is very small, so during heavy rains the water overflows.
She said that when they are crossing, they are forced to take off their shoes and enter in the water.
“We did request King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality to help us. They came to see the situation and promised to come back. They never came back; we are worried because one day we will lose another learner or a teacher due to this problem,” said Mdutywa.
She confirmed that they lost a Grade 3 learner who was also trying to cross, in 2021.
According to her, if the rain started while they are still in their homes, they do not go to school, but they do not have a choice if it started while they are at school.
Mdutywa said that they appeal to the KSD Municipality to help them in order to avoid more bad incidents that might happen.
Spokesperson for King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Sonwabo Mampoza, said that he was still busy gathering information.
MEC for the Department of Transport, Xolile Nqatha, has called on parents and learners not to risk their lives crossing flowing rivers and streams to get to school.
He intends to urgently engage with the MEC for the Department of Education, Fundile Gade, on this matter.
Nqatha added that the aim is to save the children’s lives and has warned parents and learners alike that the persistent rains and floods won’t last forever, but if a learner gets swept away by the water and drowns, there is no coming back from that.
“We all live once, and life is very precious; we need to preserve it at all costs. It is for that reason that we are calling on parents and learners alike to be extra vigilant as persistent rains and floods continue to batter some parts of the province,” said Nqatha.
