Parents fear for kids’ safety

WHILE children are bracing themselves for the new school year, parents of schoolchildren in the village of Cabhane in Mthwalume on the South Coast have their hearts in their mouths.

That’s because each trip to the nearest place of learning for their children is similar to running the gauntlet.

Schoolchildren from Cabhane have to walk 10km each day to reach the nearest schools, which includes wading through the umzimaye River.

Some parents believe crocodiles may be lurking there and their children’s pursuit of education could end their lives. Their worst fears were borne out when they learnt how 25-year-old Mudzanani Humbelani was mauled to death by a crocodile while doing her laundry in a river near Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on January 1.

Parents from Cabhane are now in a quandary over whether they should attend school. Siwinile Mahlakula, a Cabhane parent, said: “The news of what transpired in Limpopo shook me – it struck me as something that could happen to my children.”

Another concern for Mahlakula and other parents are sexual predators, who may be lurking at various points along their children’s journey to school each day, which cuts through thick bush.

According to Thobani Radebe, another Cabhane resident, they have raised their concerns with local authorities. “The community asked for pupil transportation in 2018. We are still hopeful that maybe the Department of Education (DOE) is working on it.”

Both the DOE and Department of Transport (DOT) say they have made various attempts to ensure children, especially in rural areas, are able to access schools safely.

The DOT and other donors have been able to provide bicycles to pupils who travel long distances to attend their rural schools.

DOT spokesperson Thuba Vilane said there is talk of increasing the number of bicycles provided to pupils.

Muzi Mahlambi, the KZN Doe’s spokesperson, said assistance could not be provided to all the needy schools because of a shortage of funds.

“As the department, we have done an audit to determine how many more schools and pupils required assistance with transportation. So, we are aware of the need and where it is required.”