Nduli Primary School's unsafe buildings spark political tensions and community concerns

The Western Cape Education Department’s confirmation that buildings at Nduli Primary School are unsafe has validated concerns raised by the school community, even as political parties continue to trade blame over how the crisis was handled in Witzenberg.

Ward councillor Andile Gili said a meeting held on Tuesday with WCED district officials, the school governing body and education managers confirmed that parts of the school would not be occupied until structural reinforcements are completed.

“We welcome the confirmation by the WCED that the buildings at Nduli Primary School have been declared unsafe and will not be occupied until the necessary work is done,” Gili said. “This validates the concerns raised by the community and shows that these warnings were raised responsibly and in the best interests of our children.”

Gili said the confirmation also addressed accusations that parents and community leaders were “playing politics” or deliberately disrupting schooling. “The department’s own findings now clearly show that these were legitimate safety concerns,” he said.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department had commissioned a comprehensive conditions assessment at the end of last year following complaints from the school community and growing enrolment pressures.

“The assessment identified buildings that are no longer suitable for teaching and learning,” Hammond said. “Risks included erosion of the physical ground terrain and surrounding landscape, with recommendations for improved stormwater management and play areas.”

Although some buildings could technically still be occupied, Hammond said a decision was taken to discontinue teaching at the site in the interests of learner and staff safety.

“To ensure continued schooling, learners from Nduli Primary will be temporarily accommodated at alternative schools in the Ceres area,” she said. “This plan is currently being negotiated with Nduli Primary and the surrounding schools. A longer-term solution is also being determined and will be communicated soon.”

Hammond also sought to clarify confusion around references to a 2016 Department of Labour letter that has circulated publicly. She said the correspondence did not relate to the structural condition or compliance of the school’s buildings.

“The letter refers to an administrative labour matter involving a service provider’s work visa application,” Hammond said. “It does not indicate any finding of structural non-compliance at Nduli Primary School.”

The confirmation comes amid heightened political tensions, after the African National Congress escalated the matter to national government, calling for parliamentary oversight and ministerial intervention over infrastructure and safety concerns at the school.

The Democratic Alliance, which governs the Western Cape, has rejected claims that the situation was ignored or mishandled. The party has previously warned against what it described as political incitement around the school, arguing that protests and public disputes risked destabilising the learning environment.

However, Gili said the focus should now shift away from political exchanges and towards resolving the crisis.

“What matters now is learner safety, clear communication with parents and firm timelines for both temporary placement and a permanent solution,” he said.

Learners from Nduli Primary have not yet returned to their school, with parents awaiting confirmation on alternative placements and the department’s long-term plans.

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