Cape Town safety fears force parents to seek former white-only schools

In Cape Town, South Africa, concerns about safety in township schools are forcing many parents to make difficult decisions about their children's education. Townships are areas on the outskirts of the city where many black South Africans live, often in poor conditions. These areas have high levels of crime and gang violence, which affect the schools there. Sibahle Mbasana, a mother from Khayelitsha, Cape Town's largest township, shared her experience of how dangerous it was for her children to attend a local school. She described incidents where armed gang members entered the school, threatening teachers and stealing their laptops in front of the students. This created a frightening environment for her sons, Anele and Lifalethu, who attended the school. Fearing for their safety, she decided to transfer them to a school in Simon's Town, a coastal suburb about 40 kilometers away known for its safer environment and better facilities. Their younger sister Buhle also joined them at this school to avoid the dangers of the township school. The family wishes they could move out of Khayelitsha entirely, but financial constraints keep them in the township. Many residents of townships share this desire to leave but cannot afford to do so.

The challenges faced by township schools are deeply rooted in South Africa's apartheid history. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that ended over 30 years ago but left lasting inequalities. One of the apartheid laws, the Bantu Education Act of 1953, deliberately limited the education of black children by providing fewer resources and poorer schools in black areas. Today, many township schools still suffer from overcrowding, lack of resources, and unsafe conditions. Gangs often demand protection money from teachers, making it difficult for schools to operate safely. For example, at Zanemfundo Primary School near Khayelitsha, teachers were reportedly forced to pay a portion of their salaries to gang members. Although the government has responded by increasing police patrols and hiring private security, these measures have not fully solved the problem. Similar issues have been reported in other nearby areas such as Nyanga and Philippi.

The decision to send children to schools far from home comes with its own challenges. The Mbasana children have to wake up very early, around 4:30 am, to catch buses or taxis to Simon's Town. The long commute often leaves them tired and with less time for rest and play. In one incident, Lifalethu was denied entry onto a bus because he lost his ticket, forcing him to walk a long distance home. This caused a major search and worried his family deeply. Many children from townships travel long distances daily to attend schools in wealthier suburbs, which were once reserved for white students during apartheid. These schools often have better facilities and smaller class sizes, but the journey is exhausting for the students. According to education experts, South Africa's school system remains one of the most unequal in the world, with a child's success heavily influenced by their background and where they live. Parents like the Mbasanas continue to hope for safer schools and better opportunities for their children, but for now, they must navigate the difficult realities of their environment.