THERE was joy, tears and sadness when the schools reopened on Wednesday, 17 January.
Some kids at Gateway Primary School in Delft, Cape Town, especially those going there for the first time, cried as they saw their parents leave them behind.
Little boy Ncubeko Letile (6), a grade R learner, was among those who were not too happy to go to school on the first day.
"I want to go back home to my mum. I don’t want to be here," he said.
Another boy, Asanda Mfazwe, was also crying even though his mum Nonzaliseko Matiwana was there to comfort him.
Twin boys Asanele and Sanele Mafuya, who are six years old, were happy as they comforted each other on the first day. “As long as I am in the same class as my brother, I have no problem,” said Asanele.
A group of parents also gathered outside the schoolyard to enquire about their children's placement.
Some said they had applied too late, while others wanted to try and secure the place for the first time.
Parent Serena Immanuel (35) said: "My son had to come and live with me in Delft after my sister, who lived with him in Worcester, passed away. I have to find space for him. That's why I’m standing here this morning."
ALSO READ: School placement headache for parents!
In the Eastern Cape, some pupils at Canzibe Primary School were excited to start their educational journey, while others were visibly unsettled.
When the bell rang to signal the start of school, Kungawo Ndoni (9), a grade 4 pupil, clung to the legs of her mother Olwethu Ndoni and refused to go into a classroom.
But teacher Nosipho Njuimbuxa quickly comforted him and persuaded him to go into the classroom.
Parent Olwethu Ndoni (33) said: "My boy was so excited when he entered the new school because he comes from another school. I think he was crying because he was not yet familiar with the new environment, but it wouldn’t take him long to get used to it."
Hardly any tears were shed by grade R pupils. Instead, they rushed to their classrooms because they were looking forward to seeing their new classmates.
However, it was the parents who found it hard to let go as they kissed and hugged their children.
Canzibe Primary School principal Nakuzola Jindela said: "I'm happy that the first day went without any hiccups because it shows that the pupils were ready and wanted to learn. We are happy that the pupils have settled in faster than I thought, and I believe this is because our teachers are not only teachers to these pupils but also parents at the same time."
Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier and Premier Alan Winde visited Westcott Primary School in Diep River in Cape Town to welcome back the pupils and staff for the 2024 school year.
