Newlands Ward 11 Councillor, Alan Peterson, has called for urgent intervention from government departments and local businesses to support schools catering for children living with disabilities in his ward. This follows oversight visits conducted on Monday, 5 May, to two special needs institutions: VN Naik School for the Deaf and Bright Future Special School.
Councillor Peterson was joined by Democratic Alliance Members of the Provincial Legislature, Sakhile Mngadi, who is the spokesperson for Education, and Shontel De Boer, spokesperson for Social Development, as well as his ward committee member Linda Webster.
Peterson explained that the oversight visit was part of a broader initiative formulated through the Back to School programme he runs annually in partnership with the War Room. “This programme allows us to assess the needs of local schools at the start of each academic year and advocate for support where it’s most needed,” he said.
During the visit to VN Naik, which has been in operation for over 40 years, the delegation engaged with school management about the ongoing challenges the institution faces—challenges which urgently require collaborative support.
School Principal, Ms Sindisiwe Memela, outlined several critical issues, including repeated break-ins and thefts. “Our school has been broken into more than five times,” she said. “Valuable equipment from our skills development workshop has been stolen, and our electrical meters have been vandalised. In addition to this, we face staffing shortages, infrastructure damage, and serious transportation problems. At present, both of our buses—essential for transporting learners to and from school—are out of service.”
Memela further highlighted pressing social issues affecting learners, including behavioural difficulties that could be mitigated with the presence of an in-house social worker. She called for direct intervention from the Departments of Social Development, Health, and Education to support health awareness and psychosocial services—particularly for foundation phase learners who are constantly exposed to high school students and their influences.
Ms De Boer encouraged the school to review its code of conduct and disciplinary procedures, while also advising that the school submit a formal request to the Department of Health for regular onsite health services. This would help address challenges around access to healthcare and lengthy clinic waiting times for learners with disabilities.
After VN Naik, the delegation visited Bright Future, a newly opened school established in 2023, which is already grappling with significant challenges such as classroom shortages, staff limitations, and a lack of reliable transport.
A particularly urgent issue observed was storm damage to the school’s main hall, a key facility used to generate income by hiring out the space to churches and the community. A section of the roof was recently torn off during severe weather.
School management also raised concerns about drug use among learners, which has been reported to SAPS and addressed through recent school-based awareness campaigns. Miss Tshobonga, the in-house social worker, confirmed that many learners face serious socioeconomic challenges. “Around 90% of our learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and some are orphans,” she said. “One student recently had to walk all the way from KwaMashu because the school bus was not operational. On the way, the child was attacked and had to flee into a stranger’s yard for safety.”
She stressed that the wider community still lacks awareness and understanding of special needs learners, many of whom continue to experience discrimination and exclusion in their neighbourhoods.
Mr Mngadi committed to raising the classroom shortage issue with the Department of Education and said he would assist in escalating the urgent need to repair the damaged school hall roof.
Councillor Peterson praised the visit as a success and emphasised the importance of bringing provincial legislators to see the conditions firsthand. “Having visited other special needs schools across the province, I can say many are in a dire state. It was critical to bring the MPLs here so they can help source resources before the situation deteriorates further,” he said.
He also made a direct appeal to local businesses and government departments to step forward—particularly in donating much-needed sports equipment to VN Naik. “Physical activity plays a vital role in the development and well-being of children with disabilities. We call on businesses and departments to partner with us in uplifting these schools.”
The day concluded with a broader meeting with principals from surrounding schools in Newlands, where additional community education challenges were discussed.
