Matric hopes rise from the ashes . . .

WIDESPREAD hopelessness hangs over Vuwani in Limpopo, as thousands of pupils sit at home watching their chance of a formal education slip further away each day.

But in the midst of this an oasis of hope — in the form of the Vhaswaphanda NGO — is keeping the dream of a matric pass alive for several hundred teens.

Seventy schools were completely shut down and 28 were partially burnt during two weeks of violent protests in the area.

About 2 600 matric pupils are among the more than 52 000 who are no longer able to go to school.

Now more than 500 of them have been thrown a lifeline in the form of classes staffed by 16 volunteers trying to assist pupils with preparation for their final exams.

Some pupils have to travel as far as 50km to attend the makeshift school in Lwamondo, east of Thohoyandou.

Many desperate teens have found temporary accommodation in the area so that they can attend the school every day.

Vhaswaphanda was initially set up to provide extra maths and science classes to Grade 10 to 12 pupils on weekends.

But after the widespread violent protests in the area last month, it expanded to include classes such as life science, geography and English.

Vhaswaphanda’s founder, Muhali Mudau, 30, a second-year BSc applied mathematics student at the University of South Africa, has hired a private conference venue, and is charging pupils R20 a week to cover the cost.

“I’m very concerned and saddened by what’s been happening in our community,” he said. “I wish I could help everyone, but it’s not possible.”

Eric Mpho Ragau, 23, who graduated with a degree in biochemistry and microbiology last year and has been unable to find a job, said: “I was sitting around at home when I heard there were kids coming here for classes and they were looking for volunteers, so I decided to come help.”

Among those attending the classes is Tshireledzo Masindi, 18, who has applied to do an LLB at the University of Venda next year.

He rents a room in Lwamondo for R300 a month so he can attend classes. “My family had to help raise funds,” he said. Lessons have been halted at his school, Tshimbupfe Secondary School, because of intimidation.

“We’re scared to go back. Maybe if we go back to school, they’ll burn it.”

Masindi said since the protests almost everything had come to a halt in his village.

“It’s a total shutdown. The schools have all been closed. Even the taxis have stopped operating. There are very few services,” he said.

Cynthia Muleya, 17, has also been attending the extra classes at Vhaswaphanda and is lodging with a family member in Lwamondo.

She secured an Eskom bursary to study electrical engineering at the University of Johannesburg next year.

“I would be the first person of my family to go to university. It is very stressful not knowing what’s going to happen. I don’t know if it’s going to be possible to go to UJ next year.”

She said she believed the extra classes would be enough to prepare her for the final exams. “I don’t know if we’re going to be writing, but I am prepared,” she said.

But for Monica Mukwevho and Edzisani Mabada, both 17, from nearby Mashau, the future is bleak.

They cannot afford the R20 a week for the extra lessons. “I was able to go there for one day. I couldn’t afford it,” said Mukwevho, explaining that her father is ill and her mother unemployed.

“I try to study by myself,” said Mabada. “I also can’t afford the extra classes. It will hurt me a lot if I have to repeat the year.”

Department of Basic Education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the issue of matriculants was being considered seriously.

“We have a catch-up plan which we can implement once the situation becomes stable,” he said, adding that schooling would resume once the area was safe.

Limpopo police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto said policing in the area was “complex”.

“We are there to prevent further violence and destruction of property. Our team has made almost 40 arrests,” she said.

“We are aware of intimidation, but people aren’t opening cases. We are even aware of people who have received death threats.

“There are a lot of villages affected and it is a vast area.”

I don’t know if we’re going to be writing, but I am prepared

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