Dad hopes R77m new Katlehong school named after his son will inspire children in the area

Jeremiah Hlophe had mixed feelings as he made his way to the newly built primary school in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, named after his late son Abram Hlophe. Abram was a leader of the Congress of South African Students when he was shot and killed by the apartheid police during 1992 riots in Katlehong.

Gauteng premier David Makhura, education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, Ekurhuleni's executive mayor Mzwandile Masina and MEC for infrastructure development Tasneem Motara officially opened the R77m school on Monday.

It replaced the old containers that had served as classrooms for a period of 10 years.

Hlophe, 65, said his son was fighting for a better education when he was killed.

Learners at Abram Hlophe Primary School pupils prepare to head to class during the opening of schools in Katlehong ,Ekurhuleni. (ANTONIO MUCHAVE)

"I am happy that the school was named after him as this will serve as an inspiration for children of this area. I am a bit disappointed though that I was never contacted by the department but there is little I can do about it," he said.

The school has 1,900 pupils with 68 educators and 35 young people who are part of the presidential youth employees.

Masina said it was impossible for pupils to excel as the conditions were not conducive for learning.

The school now boasts 15 classrooms, two laboratories and a grade R section with full playing facilities.

Randzu Mvuleni, a 13-year-old grade 7 pupil, said she was excited to finally attend a normal school.

February 15 2021
A teacher at Abraham Hlophe Primary prepares welcomes pupils to class on the opening of schools on Monday. — February 15 2021 A teacher at Abraham Hlophe Primary prepares welcomes pupils to class on the opening of schools on Monday. (ANTONIO MUCHAVE)

"The old zozos [containers] were not good for us. The windows were broken and there was no space. We also did not have working toilets," she said.

Lesufi said they had to honour Hlophe's wish for equality education. d

"No child should get into a taxi at 4am to rush to school. Our children must learn closer to their homes at schools that have the right facility. The aim is to change the face of township schools. In the next five years we want to do away with mobile classrooms. We also plan to have public schools in developing areas," Lesufi said.

Makhura warned communities to take care of their schools as they will not fix vandalised schools.