Youth leaders speak out against Vuwani violence

“We are appealing to law-enforcement agencies to intervene in the situation in Vuwani. Some of us do not support the destruction of schools in our community as it sets us back and the work we’re doing in improving education outcomes in the community,” says Mr Kgothaso Mokgophi, a peer educator and leader of a stationery donation organisation.

According to the 20-year old Mokgophi, the destruction of the schools in the area is a threat to an already bleak future for many youths in the community. The protests in the area are the result of an ongoing disagreement between the Municipal Demarcation Board and Vuwani residents. Mokgophi added that while the right to strike was enshrined in the Constitution, there are many other ways in which the situation could have been handled without the damage to schools.

Mokgophi is a University of Venda student and is one of five "young change drivers" who have founded an organisation, Limpopo Campaign, that provides tutoring support in Sekhukhune. “When I am home in Vuwani, I assist different after-school support programmes. The destruction to these schools will be a setback to many of the learners we support,” said Mokgophi.

Observers added that Limpopo was among the worst-performing provinces in the 2015 academic calendar year and that the destruction of Vuwani schools and learning materials would add a bigger burden to Limpopo's already ailing education system. 

Young social-change driver and Vuwani resident Mr Thendo Mapume lays the blame for this stalemate on both residents and the demarcation board for not being able to come up with innovative ways to address the volatile situation. “We feel that the elders, politicians, traditional leaders and the Municipal Demarcation Board have failed us, the young people. It is time that we, as the youth, take this into our own hands and use any means available to help in this situation, such as mobilising for support through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Rudzani Musamabi Mashau is another young community leader who is taking action against the violent protests in Vuwani. He has been instrumental in arranging a meeting with religious and traditional leaders to find quick solutions to support the affected learners.

Mokgophi, Mapume and Mashau are part of the Activate! Network – a nationwide network of young change drivers (who call themselves Activators) aiming to spread across the country and to influence the community positively.
 

Date:13 May 2016

By: Wikus Lee

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