The Right to Education: Navigating School Placement Challenges in South Africa

In South Africa, education is enshrined as a fundamental human right in Section 29 of the Constitution. However, many families face significant challenges when it comes to securing school placements for their children. On Sakhisizwe Building the nation Bou die nasie we had a discussion highlighting these issues, bringing together education officials, community advocates, and legal support organizations to address the growing concern of learners on waiting lists.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Bronagh Hammond acknowledged that increased learner numbers in the province have placed tremendous pressure on the education system. Despite building new schools and adding mobile classrooms, they continue to struggle with late applications and placement challenges in specific areas.

Community advocates from various advice offices painted a different picture, highlighting what they perceive as planning failures. As Jo-Ann Muller from Mitchells Plain pointed out, "If a child is born within Mitchells Plain in a specific year, you know that child is going to go to primary school when they're five or six... There should be enough high schools to accommodate that amount of children."

One of the most pressing issues is the mismatch between primary and high school capacity. In Mitchells Plain, for example, there are approximately 64 primary schools feeding into just 17 high schools, creating a bottleneck for learners transitioning to secondary education.

The WCED cited budget constraints as a major factor, mentioning a R2.8 billion shortfall that led to reduced teaching staff and infrastructure budgets across the province. Despite these challenges, they maintain they are building schools "at a rapid pace" where funding allows.

Everyone reported communication challenges. The WCED claimed they struggle to contact parents when placement is available, while parents and community advocates countered that their attempts to help are sometimes refused. One disturbing trend mentioned was fraudulent emails claiming to be from the WCED, leading families to purchase uniforms and prepare for schools that ultimately had no place for their children.

Masi Ncube, from ProBono.org highlighted that Section 29 of the Constitution provides for an "unqualified right" to education that requires "immediate realization." He also pointed to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which places stricter requirements on parents to ensure their children are in school, potentially leading to imprisonment for non-compliance even as placement issues persist.

Another important issue raised was the placement of children with special needs, particularly those with autism. While the WCED claims to lead the country in special needs education provision, advocates questioned whether there are sufficient specialized teachers and facilities to meet the demand.

The WCED emphasized their commitment to placing every learner who has applied, highlighting recent progress:

217 additional classrooms built last year

100+ new mobile classrooms being completed

Three new schools opening in the coming weeks

A new high school under construction in Mitchells Plain

 

However, they also acknowledged systemic challenges, including:

Limited land availability in densely populated areas

The authority of school governing bodies over admissions policies

Late applications for Grades 1 and 8 this year

While the discussion revealed clear tensions between education officials and community advocates, both sides acknowledged that addressing these challenges requires collaboration. As the WCED Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond noted in closing, "We need a combination of people, not just the education department. We need parents, community members, and social service organizations as well."

For parents currently navigating the system, the WCED's call center (0861 819 919) and district offices remain the first points of contact for placement issues, though these services are reportedly under strain during peak application periods.

As this critical conversation continues, the fundamental question remains: How can South Africa fulfil its constitutional promise of education for all when systemic challenges continue to leave thousands of learners waiting for placement.

Click on the video to hear more

Producer & Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Breaking the Cycle: Community, Land, and Healing from Colonial Trauma

Activists Lucy Campbell and Melissa Britz shared insights on gender-based violence, colonial trauma, and community healing through their work with OPPIEYAART and the Queer Food Growing Collective.

Lucy Campbell, who conducts Healing of Memory Tours in Cape Town, emphasizes that today's gender-based violence has deep historical roots. "A lot of the gender-based violence comes from a history of violence, a history of trauma, of torture, actually a history of genocide," she explains. Campbell argues that truly understanding today's social problems requires acknowledging colonial history's psychological impact on communities.

The discussion highlights how the colonial enterprise began with military occupation, with women being the first to experience its effects as they were forced into domestic service, sexual exploitation, and objectification. This historical trauma continues to manifest in contemporary social issues.

Melissa Britz offers a compelling perspective on how different forms of violence are interconnected: "When we speak about violence, it's so interesting how we separate different kinds of violence... but life doesn't occur in isolation. Everything is connected."

This interconnection extends from personal relationships to systemic issues. The capitalist system itself is described as a form of violence through its exploitation of people and natural resources. Similar to how COVID-19 impacted already vulnerable populations most severely, systemic violence disproportionately affects women, children, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and rural communities.

At OPPIEYAART in Elsies River, healing begins with reconnecting to the land. Indigenous herbs and plants surrounding the space, representing a return to cultural identity that was disrupted by colonialism.

"In indigenous cultures, the land is always one of the central parts of our identity," Brits explains. "Identity is in relation to our relationship with land. And I think that's why colonialism was so damaging because it broke that identity."

Language loss has further disconnected communities from their cultural heritage, making land connection even more vital to healing processes. Working with plants offers a pathway to emotional processing and improved relationships with others.

The Queer Food Growing Collective operates on the principle of taking control through community food production. As Britz urges, "Let us build our own things... Let's build community in order to give ourselves the things we need because nobody else is going do it for us."

The politics of food extends into household dynamics, where research shows women often eat last when resources are scarce, leading to long-term health consequences. The collective's work in communities like Elsies River, Mbekweni, Bokmakierie, and soon Delft, creates spaces where marginalized individuals, particularly queer people, can support each other while growing nutritious food.

Safety emerges as a crucial theme throughout the discussion. The Queer Food Growing Collective partners with organizations like Triangle Project to create safe spaces for queer individuals who may face rejection from their families due to religious or cultural beliefs.

Click on the video to hear more.

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: 

Africa's Tech Visionary: How Jamie Thurston Wyngaard is Revolutionizing Digital Payments

In the heart of Cape Town's vibrant tech ecosystem, a remarkable entrepreneur is crafting solutions that are transforming how millions of Africans access essential services. Jamie Thurston Wyngaard, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of Loop, recently made headlines by winning the prestigious Science, Technology, and Innovation Award at the Africa 40 Under 40 Awards in Cairo—the African equivalent of Forbes' recognition for ground-breaking talent.

"What I really see from this is that Cape Flats can," Jamie explains with genuine passion when asked about what this recognition means to him. Growing up in Cape Town's Cape Flats, an area often highlighted for its challenges, Jamie embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that sees opportunity where others see obstacles.

"There's a lot of problems here. But the thing is, more problems means more opportunities," he points out. This perspective has guided his approach to building Loop, transforming it from a simple idea into what many now describe as a movement in digital mobility across Africa.

Loop began with a straightforward observation from MTS, Jamie's co-founder who comes from a third-generation taxi entrepreneur family. Why, in today's digital age, was the minibus taxi industry a transportation lifeline across much of Africa still operating entirely in cash?

The answer wasn't as simple as building another payment app. After careful study, Jamie and his team discovered that traditional banking solutions weren't working for this sector because:

Bank charges affected both the customer and the driver.

Traditional transfers took up to two days to clear an impossible timeframe for drivers who need to buy fuel immediately and support their family’s daily and pay their bosses daily. Cash created enormous security risks, with drivers often targeted by criminals.

Loop's innovative solution: enabling instant digital payments through a WhatsApp platform already widely used across the continent. No bank charges. No waiting periods. No need to download another app.

What started as a digital payment solution for taxis has expanded into something much more comprehensive.

Loop now offers:

Corporate booking systems for businesses needing reliable transport for employees.

An expanded fleet including seven-seaters and cars.

Digital payment options for small businesses of all kinds, from hair salons to Avon sellers.

Cross-border remittance capabilities allowing users to send money from anywhere in the world instantly via WhatsApp.

The technology even transforms ordinary smartphones into payment terminals with "tap to pay" functionality developed in partnership with Visa eliminating the need for expensive point-of-sale devices.

Perhaps most revolutionary is Loop's approach to financial inclusion. By tracking digital payment histories, Loop can offer access to finance for entrepreneurs who have traditionally been excluded from formal banking systems.

"Taxi drivers have been working mostly in cash, and entrepreneurs in emerging markets have been working in cash. They cannot go to a bank and ask for a loan. They're going to  ask you 'where's your banking records?” Jamie explains.

Loop fills this gap by providing specific-purpose financing based on the business's digital payment history not for "leisure loaning," as Jamie puts it, but for business necessities like vehicle maintenance, inventory, or clearing fines.

When asked about the cultural shifts needed in Africa's business ecosystem, Jamie's answer is immediate: "Number one is collaboration. People keep thinking we're competing with each other. I don't believe in competition."

He advocates for a mind-set shift: "If there are four businesses and three of them decide to work together, who's left behind? The one that thinks they're competing with everybody else."

This collaborative approach has been central to Loop's success. By partnering with traditional taxi associations rather than trying to disrupt them, as well as forming strategic relationships with companies, Loop has created a truly inclusive digital ecosystem.

As Loop continues to expand its reach across Africa, Jamie remains grounded in his roots while looking toward the horizon. For young entrepreneurs following in his footsteps, his advice is refreshingly straightforward: "If you want to go for it, go for it, man. If you want to start the business, if you want to get somewhere, just go do it."

In a continent filled with untapped potential and unique challenges, innovators like Jamie Thurston aren't just building successful businesses they're creating the digital infrastructure for Africa's economic future, one WhatsApp payment at a time.

Click on the video to hear more about Loop.

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M

Transforming Farm Communities: How Pebbles Project Empowers Children in the Western Cape

Making a difference in rural communities through holistic support since 2004

In the sprawling agricultural landscapes in the Western Cape, a remarkable organization has been quietly transforming lives for over two decades. Since February 2004, Pebbles Project has been addressing the unique challenges faced by children in farming communities through a comprehensive approach to support and development.

What began with five centres on five farms has blossomed into 52 centres across the Western Cape, including locations in Stellenbosch, Citrusdal, Grabouw, Wellington, and Klein William. They've even established the Pebbles Academy, a primary school serving farm children in the Hemel and Aarde Valley.

Mignon Joubert, who serves as the volunteer, intern, and partnership coordinator at Pebbles Project, shared insights into their innovative approach.

"Pebbles uses a holistic approach. It's not just the education," explains Joubert. "The need arose for food, so we created the Pebbles Kitchen to help children focus in class. We added health services because a child cannot function properly if they're sick and hungry."

This comprehensive strategy addresses the interconnected challenges facing children in farming communities:

Education Program: Including the Hemel en aarde Education Project

Life Skills, Sport, and Extracurricular Activities: Building well-rounded individuals

Health Services: Providing accessible medical care

Pebbles Kitchen and Nutrition Program: Ensuring proper nourishment

Youth Development Program: Supporting beneficiaries aged 15-25

One of the most significant challenges for children in farming communities is limited perspective. "What I've seen is just to broaden our beneficiaries' perspective to see what there is out there for them to do," Joubert shares. "You don't have to stay on the farm. You have these opportunities to reach your full potential."

Transportation presents another major obstacle. Unlike urban areas with regular public transit, farming communities are spread across vast distances with limited connectivity. Pebbles Project addresses this by bringing their services directly to the farms:

"We have buses and various vehicles. Our clinic is open to all our beneficiaries free of charge and to the larger community. We have a driver and a vehicle that picks them up at the farms and brings them to the clinic and the broader community at a normal rate."

Pebbles Project embodies their core values of compassion, commitment, courage, and integrity through their cradle-to-career approach.

"When the mom falls pregnant on the farm, we educate her," Joubert explains. "When the baby is born, they fall into our first thousand days’ initiative. At two years of age, they enter our ECD centers, then our after-school centers until 18 years of age, and finally the youth development program."

This continuous support creates a foundation for success, with former beneficiaries now working as firemen or employed at companies like Spier ect.

The organization partners with institutions like Maastricht University, hosting final-year medical students who bring fresh perspectives while gaining exposure to health challenges different from those in their home countries.

Looking toward to the future, Pebbles Project continues to innovate with initiatives like:

Soap for Hope: One-year-old initiative repurposing donated soap bars, providing employment for beneficiaries with practical skills while promoting hygiene on farms

A developing program to give youth hands-on work experience in hospitality, IT, retail, and other industries before entering their first job.

For those inspired by Pebbles Project's mission, there are multiple ways to connect:

Website: pebblesproject.org

Social Media: Find them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube as "Pebbles Project Trust"

Through their dedicated work, Pebbles Project demonstrates how targeted support and a holistic approach can transform not just individual lives but entire communities.

Click on the video to hear more about Pebbles Project

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M

Understanding AVM: A Mother's Journey with AV Malformation Warrior

I had the opportunity to learn about AV Malformation (AVM), a rare medical condition affecting thousands worldwide yet poorly understood by the general public. Shoneez Ganie, founder of AV Malformation Warrior, who shared her personal journey as the mother of Yazdaan, a 15-year-old boy living with this condition.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a condition where blood vessels form abnormal connections between arteries and veins. In Yazdaan's case, the condition was present from birth, initially appearing as a red mark resembling a strawberry. Despite multiple surgeries starting when he was just eight months old, Yazdaan's AVM has continued to return, causing significant challenges throughout his life.

Yazdaan's journey with AVM is made more complex by his additional diagnoses of autism and a heart condition. Shoneez described the heartbreaking reality of raising a child with AVM:

He cannot run or play sports due to the risk of injury.

He experiences constant pain and swelling.

The condition can potentially affect other organs, including the brain and heart.

He requires ongoing medical treatment, including chemotherapy with " bleomycin injections".

Despite these challenges, Shoneez described her son as "the most humbled, the most patient person" who "wakes up with a smile every day." Currently, Yazdaan is temporarily using a wheelchair after breaking his ankle in three places last year, which has further complicated his condition and prevented him from attending school.

Yazdaan's artistic talents became the foundation for the AV Malformation Warrior organization. Yazdaan express himself through art. Shoneez transformed his artwork into various products including colouring books, pencil cases, mugs, puzzles, and bags that make up what they call the "Warrior Hamper."

These hampers are delivered to children in hospitals, providing comfort and support during difficult times. The organization also aims to create awareness, establish support groups, and educate the public about AVM.

One significant challenge Shoneez highlighted is the lack of awareness about AVM, even among healthcare professionals. She often finds herself explaining her son's condition to medical staff who are unfamiliar with it. This experience has motivated her to advocate for better training and education about AVM within the healthcare system.

Raising a child with complex medical needs while also parenting another child presents significant emotional challenges. Shoneez candidly shared her feelings of guilt when her older son sometimes receives less attention due to Yazdaan's medical needs. However, this journey has shaped her into a more patient and humble person with a desire to help others facing similar challenges.

Shoneez's vision for AV Malformation Warrior includes:

School outreach programs to help children understand what their peers with AVM are experiencing.

Hospital visits to support affected children and families.

Distribution of "Warrior Hampers" to children undergoing treatment.

Promoting the "magical shoe" featuring Yazdaan's artwork (currently seeking partnerships with shoe manufacturers)

For those interested in supporting AV Malformation Warrior or connecting with Shoneez:

Contact her directly at 082-526-8995

Visit their Facebook page "Little Autistic Geniuses"

Follow Yazdaan on Instagram at "Ali Yazdaan"

Shoneez's parting advice to parents facing a new AVM diagnosis is powerful: "Focus on the positivity. Take your pain and channel it into something beautiful... Don't give up. I do believe in miracles."

This inspiring story reminds us that awareness is the first step toward understanding. If you or someone you know experiences unusual symptoms, consulting with healthcare professionals promptly is crucial, especially when dealing with conditions like AVM.

Click on the video to listen to the interview

Presenter : Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M

The Vital Work of TAC: Fighting for HIV Healthcare Access in South Africa

In the face of significant US funding cuts, the Treatment Action Campaign (also referred to as TAC) continues its crucial work advocating for HIV treatment access and healthcare accountability across South Africa. Recently, Sibongile from TAC shared insights about their organization's impact and the challenges they're currently facing.

With nearly 10,000 members and 280 branches throughout South Africa, TAC has developed an effective system for monitoring healthcare facilities. Their approach includes:

Peer educators visiting clinics to assess facility conditions

Interviews with facility managers to identify challenges

Direct conversations with patients living with HIV about service quality

Monitoring stock availability, particularly for medications like PrEP

Community accountability meetings bringing patients face-to-face with healthcare providers

This comprehensive monitoring system has collected data from over 350,000 public healthcare users, including 200,000 people living with HIV. Through their efforts, TAC has identified critical issues such as patients spending excessive time at facilities (5-6 hours) and key populations facing stigma and discrimination when accessing care.

Despite TAC's achievements, Sibongile highlighted several ongoing challenges in South Africa's public healthcare system:

Shortage of human resources

Inadequate infrastructure

Limited equipment for healthcare workers

Poor working conditions for staff

Continued stigma affecting key and vulnerable populations

TAC's approach often includes direct action campaigns when necessary. A recent example in Northwest province resulted in increased access to 3-6 month medication supplies rather than the standard 1-2 month dispensing. Their World AIDS Day march to East London advocating for six-month medication dispensing also yielded positive results, with the government implementing policy changes.

The recent US funding cuts have created significant challenges:

Loss of experienced healthcare workers who had built relationships with patients

Potential increase in facility waiting times

Disruption to HIV prevention efforts, including PrEP access

Concerns about rising infection rates and patients falling out of care

Closure of specialized clinics, particularly those serving LGBTIQ+ communities

 Sibongile emphasized that South African law does not permit turning away patients who previously received care at facilities that have now closed due to funding cuts. Anyone experiencing such issues should report them immediately.

For those wanting to connect with TAC or support their vital work:

Call: 011 100 4721

Visit: tac.org.za

As Sibongile reminds us: "Don't leave the clinic without being serviced. Everyone has a right to medication, to quality healthcare services."

TAC's decades-long fight for HIV treatment access has saved millions of lives, and their continued advocacy remains essential, especially during this funding crisis. Their commitment to documenting healthcare issues and advocating for solutions ensures that patients' rights to quality healthcare aren't compromised, even in challenging times.

Click on the video below to hear more about the work TAC does.

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M

Pushing the Boundaries of Performance Art: Africa's First AI-Generated Opera: A Conversation with Louise Coetzer

Cape Town's art scene is about to witness something truly groundbreaking this month. "Autoplay," described as Africa's first AI-generated opera, will premiere at the Baxter Theatre, combining dance, music, and artificial intelligence in a way that challenges our understanding of performance art.

Louise Coetzer, the choreographer and director behind this innovative production. As the founding artistic director of Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre, Coetzer has spent 15 years pushing creative boundaries through interdisciplinary approaches and technological integration.

What makes "Autoplay" particularly fascinating is how AI is intertwined throughout the creative process. The production explores AI not just thematically but incorporates it directly into the development of the work. During their extensive research, Coetzer and her team used various AI systems to:

Design the structural framework of the performance

Generate inspiration for choreography and movement

Create elements of the sound score that change with each performance

This means no two performances will ever be identical - a truly unique aspect of the production. As Coetzer explains, "The work is never quite the same... there's always randomized elements that are being put out by the computer systems we use in the live experience."

The journey wasn't without its challenges. Initially, the AI outputs were "very basic, not really usable, not really interesting, very predictable." But as the team continued interacting with these systems, the results became more refined and aligned with their creative vision.

What's particularly interesting is how they're using these technologies in ways they weren't designed for. "We're using them for creating a theatrical performance. That's not what they meant to be doing," Coetzer notes. "As artists, we are then stepping into this role of using computers as our creative partners in the making process."

The dancers face their own unique challenges, having to respond in real-time to an ever-changing soundtrack that might suddenly shift from providing a strong beat to producing abstract, drone-like sounds without any clear rhythm.

Beyond the technical innovations, "Autoplay" explores profound questions about identity, autonomy, and our relationship with technology. Coetzer isn't trying to provide answers but rather open a conversation:

"We're in such an interesting moment in time... when AI popped up and became very prominent about eighteen months ago, suddenly everyone just accepted it... But we're not really questioning what it means, the future of where it's heading, the ethical considerations, the philosophical considerations."

The production examines how humanity remains present in this digital age and how we adapt to technological changes that are increasingly becoming part of our lives.

As Darkroom Contemporary celebrates its 15th anniversary, "Autoplay" represents the culmination of years of technological exploration and boundary-pushing. Coetzer describes it as their most ambitious project yet, combining "visual art, movement, sound, AI in a unique staging that offers something for everyone.

The production is particularly significant as it marks a milestone not just for Darkroom Contemporary but for performance art across Africa, demonstrating how artists on the continent are engaging with cutting-edge technologies.

"Autoplay" will run at the Baxter Theatre at the Flipside from March 26-29, with evening performances at 7:30 PM and a matinee on March 29 at 2:00 PM. Tickets range from R240-R270 and are available through Webtickets. The show runs approximately 75 minutes without an interval and has an age restriction of 13.

What makes this production particularly special is its immersive nature - audience members become part of the performance and their choices actually impact how the show ends.

Whether you're a dance enthusiast or simply curious about the intersection of art and technology, "Autoplay" promises to be a thought-provoking experience that challenges our understanding of creativity in the digital age.

Click on the link below to hear more about Autoplay.

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M