The first day of school started on a disruptive note in Fleurhof as some learners, accompanied by community members, took to the streets today, October 1 to protest about the severe shortages of schools in the area.
The community blocked Helpmekaar Road, which is an entrance going into Fleurhof, and they were demanding answers from ward councillors and the Department of Basic Education.
According to community leader Selby Leshama, Fleurhof is a big area, and there aren’t enough schools to accommodate their learners. They demand primary and secondary schools be built.
“The children say they are tired of having to wake up early in the morning and travel with transport to schools in Naledi, Meadowlands and Florida.
“The main problem is that those schools in Soweto are also overcrowded and the travelling is also a problem. Therefore, we demand permanent solutions,” says Leshama.
Leshama also emphasised that they had reported this problem to the Department of Basic Education, and they were ready to build a school, but the availability of the land is now a problem.
“We had a meeting with the premier’s office, the mayor’s office, and other stakeholders, including the developer and ward councillor. The department also came forward, and they were ready to build a school, but the problem is the land.”
The cries of the community do not end there; they are also demanding a police station, clinic, community hall and sports facilities to be built in the area.
“Community members have to travel from here to Florida, which is not acceptable. Mobile clinics are here until noon during the day on Tuesdays only, and that doesn’t help us as a community. We want our people to have better access to healthcare,” says Leshama.
According to Leshama, crime is also high in this community; hence, they are demanding a police station.
Ward 70 councillor Caleb Finn says he is aware of these issues, and they were raised last year through a memorandum of understanding to the mayor and premier’s office, but no efforts have been made yet.
Members of the JMPD and police are in Fleurhof monitoring the protest. The Roodepoort Record has reached out to the Department of Basic Education for comment on the matter, however, none has been received.
