THE intervention of traditional leaders from Umbumbulu and surrounding areas in the issue of school closures at Folweni seems to be bearing fruit.
Teaching has restarted at the 10 schools that were closed last month due to an ongoing protest in the area.
The schools re-opened on Tuesday after a long meeting between the amakhosi and protesting residents, ANC regional leaders and officials from the education department.
Inkosi Nathi Maphumulo, the chairman of the Umbumbulu Education Forum, said it concerned traditional leaders very much that societal issues could be allowed to ruin children’s futures.
“Luckily in Umbumbulu we initiated an education forum last year that was aimed at dealing with such issues.
“Folweni is our township, so we intervened this week. We gathered all the parties involved and humbly asked them to allow the schools to operate while we seek a permanent solution to the matter,” he said.
Maphumulo said although traditional leaders could not change the way the ANC operates, they will keep on talking to ensure schooling is not interrupted.
They have scheduled another meeting for today.
“We will meet at Folweni Police Station. The provincial chairman of traditional leaders, Phathisizwe Chiliza, will be there,” he said.
KZN education spokesman Scelo Khuzwayo, speaking on behalf of MEC Peggy Nkonyeni, confirmed that Folweni schools were operating smoothly.
“We are very happy with the traditional leaders and parents’ co-operation on this matter,” he said.
The trouble at Folweni began in February, shortly after Mthokozisi Xulu was nominated as an ANC candidate councillor.
Residents embarked on an illegal protest, complaining that he was incompetent and an outsider. They wanted his name withdrawn from the list.
An agreement between the protesters and ANC regional leadership has not yet been reached.
The affected high schools included Siphephelo, Ntwenhle and Folweni. Primary schools Celokuhle, Mklomelo, Golokodo, Phembisisizwe, Qhosheyiphethe and Masuku were also closed.
eThekwini municipal buildings and vehicles were torched a month ago.
