School pupils in Nkandla are forced to travel to school every day facing the possibility of being attacked by crocodiles and drowning in the crocodile-infested uThukela River.
So dire has the situation been that even former president Jacob Zuma, a resident of the area, was asked to help, said one of the villagers, adding that he had promised a bridge would be erected, but nothing had come of the promise.
It is not only pupils who have to brave the raging river. The teachers also risk their lives.
One teacher, who preferred anonymity, told Sunday World they had accepted their fate.
“I was born and bred in the area and the situation has never changed. As young girls, we also crossed the river to get to school. At least now there is a boat, which we pay for a return trip,” she said.
Sunday World this week visited the area and witnessed first-hand the struggles endured by pupils as they try to reach their destination.
At least 150 pupils from the KwaMagwaza and eMakhabeleni villages are affected by the deadly situation – having to travel to their schools swimming in raging waters. Some in the area said the chances of ending in the belly of crocodile were quite high.
A handful of pupils who can afford the R100 monthly fee, are helped to cross the river to reach their schools using a rickety boat, also not 100% safe from dangerous water elements.
More dangerously, pupils from poor backgrounds who cannot afford the fee take the risk by swimming across, facing the possibility of drowning.
There is no proper road, so the scholar transport leaves the pupils halfway. They then trek inside the forest and swim across the river, which endangers their lives.
Sometimes during the day, crocodiles can be seen from the other side of the river.
“We have written several letters seeking help from the education authorities, national government and the municipality, with no help [forthcoming],” Tholumuzi Shezi, a governing body member in one of the schools, told Sunday World.
The schools affected include Amathole Amnyama High, eMphalwini Primary and Sizwe Sonke High School.
Amathole Amnyama High Grade 12 pupil Nosipho Dlamini also lamented that the area had no cellphone network, and should disaster strike, it would be difficult to get help.
“It’s not easy because the situation also affects our studies,” she said.
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