The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is deeply concerned about the terrible conditions that learners with special needs must endure in Mpumalanga.
The Portfolio Committee on Education’s Focus Intervention Study (FIS) on special schools, which was tabled to the Legislature in October 2026, paints a disturbing picture of systematic decay and neglect.
The report is based on unannounced, official oversight visits to six of the 18 special schools in Mpumalanga. It clearly shows that these vulnerable children are, despite government’s lip service regarding “inclusive education”, largely forgotten by the state.
The Committee exposed, among other things, the following systemic problems:
• A critical shortage of qualified special-education teachers and therapists, especially speech and occupational therapists (SASO therapists) and nurses.
• Dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate sanitation and serious safety risks.
• A complete collapse of specialised learner transport for disabled learners in rural areas.
• A lack of adapted learning materials and curricula.
Concrete examples from the report are shocking:
Basizeni Special School has 268 learners, but no state-subsidised transport. The school has no electricity, but is billed between R80 000 and R90 000 per month for utilities. There is a shortage of 11 SASO therapists.
At Kamagugu Inclusive School, there are 335 learners, but only 12 of the 25 required SASO therapist positions have been filled. Deaf learners have nowhere to go after Grade 4.
At Mantjedi Special School, only five of the 12 teachers have a qualification in special education. Only six of the ten toilets work and there is only one stove to cook for all the learners. A total of 19 learners do not have access to transport, while some of them live up to 100 km away.
At Ethokomala Special School (a youth care centre), there is only one nurse for the resident boys, no 24-hour medical support, no security cameras, and serious shortages of working computers and protective clothing.
These children represent more than statistics. They are someone’s child, one with dreams and potential. They deserve a safe, dignified learning environment.
The Freedom Front Plus demands an urgent intervention by the MEC for Education, Lindi Masina. She should produce a clear action plan for restoring infrastructure, immediately fill vacant specialist positions and ensure safe, appropriate transport for all special learners.
The party will keep pursuing the matter in the Legislature until there is marked improvement.
