Protests over the school placement crisis continued this week at Laerskool Danie Malan, located in Pretoria North, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) demanding urgent action from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to address the alarming situation. The DA has called on the education officials to resolve the crisis, which affects hundreds of children, within ten days, highlighting the need for immediate reforms to avoid disruption and violence.
According to reports from News24, tensions have escalated outside the school due to violent protests led by various groups, including members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). These protests have not only interrupted the school day but have also jeopardized the safety of both students and staff members. The protests stem from the frustrations of parents whose children have been left without school placements as the academic year commenced.
Despite operating at full capacity, Laerskool Danie Malan remains the only Afrikaans-medium primary school within the Pretoria North region, making it a refuge for many Afrikaans-speaking families. "It is tragic," stated Bronwynn Engelbrecht, the DA’s head of constituency for Pretoria North, "that today, in 2025, language and cultural identity are being pitted against inclusivity rather than celebrated as part of South Africa’s diversity." The DA continues to argue for the right of every child to access quality education without the threat of intimidation.
The current school capacity stands at 1,372 students, and parents are increasingly expressing their discontentment at the thought of their children being left without educational opportunities. EFF Tshwane region’s Prince Shabangu highlighted the urgency of transformation, claiming, "It’s about racism and they do not want to transform, they are scared. The majority of the people in the country are black, and Afrikaans-speaking people are a minority. That’s why we need additional classrooms.”
Tragically, many students, including Linet Matshinga’s daughter, who lives nearby, have been affected by the limited placements. Matshinga's child has adapted well to the Afrikaans medium but faced challenges during registration when spots quickly filled up, forcing them to seek alternative arrangements. Shabangu noted, "We know of 187 children sitting at home. There are storerooms available which could be converted to classrooms; enough is enough!" This situation reflects broader systemic issues within the educational infrastructure.
Recently, the GDE approached Laerskool Danie Malan about creating additional mobile classrooms on the school’s sports fields, which sparked heated discussions. But this proposal has been met with resistance from school authorities who argue its validity. Sergio Isa dos Santos, the DA shadow MEC for education, stated, "The department approached the school after the admission process had closed. We are satisfied the school isn’t doing anything wrong; the problem lies with the department’s lack of planning for the new school year." Clearly, urgent structural changes are necessary within the educational framework to prevent future crises.
Local ward councillor Quentin Meyer shared insights, stating, "It’s not the school’s fault; parents should target their frustrations at the department and not the school," emphasizing the necessity for open dialogue rather than aggression. He expressed concerns about the safety of children during protests, dismissing notions of racism as the school remains committed to providing necessary services to its community.
With protests still looming around Laerskool Danie Malan, the resolution to these heated tensions appears to be hanging as hundreds of students await their school placements. Community leaders, including parents, are urged to find constructive solutions without resorting to violence or disruption of learning. The DA continues to pledge pressure on the GDE to intervene and facilitate necessary changes. Will Gauteng authorities respond adequately, or will these protests herald greater systemic challenges? Only time will tell how this situation evolves.