Community Protests
By Thabo Mosia
Bothaville, Free State – 26 February 2025The Free State Department of Education has raised serious concerns over community protests in Bothaville, located in the Lejweleputswa District, which have disrupted learning and teaching at 14 schools since the beginning of the week. According to department spokesperson Howard Ndaba, the unrest has affected thousands of learners across four secondary schools, eight primary schools, and three farm schools. While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, the department has condemned the disruptions, urging communities to prioritise children’s education and resolve grievances within the law.
A Week of Chaos in Bothaville Schools
The small farming town of Bothaville, known for its maize production and tight-knit community, has been thrust into the spotlight this week as protests have brought schooling to a standstill. Since Monday, 24 February 2025, learners and teachers at 14 schools have faced uncertainty, with classrooms empty and lessons halted. The affected institutions include four secondary schools, eight primary schools, and three farm schools, which serve rural and township areas in the Lejweleputswa District.
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Education, addressed the crisis on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, saying, “The Free State Department of Education has expressed deep concern over community protests in Bothaville, Lejweleputswa District, which have disrupted learning and teaching in 14 schools since the start of the week.” He added that the protests have impacted thousands of learners, leaving parents, educators, and officials scrambling for solutions.
The department’s statement comes amid growing frustration over the ripple effects of the unrest. Schools are more than just buildings—they’re the heartbeat of communities like Bothaville, where education offers hope for a better future. With the academic year already underway, every lost day puts learners at a disadvantage, especially those preparing for crucial exams.
What Sparked the Protests?
While the Free State Department of Education has not officially detailed the reasons behind the protests, local reports suggest they stem from long-standing community grievances. Residents of Bothaville and surrounding areas have allegedly taken to the streets over issues such as poor service delivery, lack of clean water, and unreliable electricity supply. These challenges are not new to the Free State, where rural towns often bear the brunt of infrastructure neglect.
A recent article published by The Citizen on 25 February 2025 highlighted similar unrest in the province, noting that communities in nearby Welkom—also in the Lejweleputswa District—had staged demonstrations over water shortages just days earlier. Although not directly linked, the timing suggests a broader wave of dissatisfaction across the region. In Bothaville, the protests have reportedly escalated, with road blockades and public gatherings spilling over into school grounds, making it impossible for teaching to continue.
For many parents, the situation feels like a double blow. “We want our voices heard, but not like this,” said Maria Mokgosi, a mother of two primary school learners. “Our children are the ones suffering the most. They can’t learn when the schools are closed or unsafe.”
The Scale of the Disruption
The numbers paint a stark picture. With 14 schools affected, the protests have disrupted education for thousands of learners across different levels. Secondary schools, where Grade 12 pupils are preparing for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams later this year, face the added pressure of lost teaching time. Primary schools, catering to younger children, are struggling to maintain routine, while farm schools—often under-resourced and isolated—find themselves particularly vulnerable.
The Lejweleputswa District, which includes towns like Welkom, Virginia, and Bothaville, is home to a mix of urban and rural communities. Education here is already a challenge, with many schools battling overcrowding, teacher shortages, and limited access to technology. The protests have only deepened these woes, threatening to widen the gap between the Free State’s learners and their peers in better-resourced provinces.
Ndaba emphasised the scale of the crisis, noting that the disruptions affect not just learners but also teachers, support staff, and families who rely on schools as safe spaces during the day. “The department strongly condemns the disruptions,” he said, underscoring that education is a fundamental right enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.
A Call for Lawful Protest
While the department supports the right to protest—a cornerstone of South Africa’s democracy—it has urged communities to exercise this right responsibly. “Citizens have the right to protest, but it must be done within the bounds of the law and without infringing on the rights of children to education,” Ndaba stated. This plea reflects a delicate balancing act: acknowledging community frustrations while protecting the most vulnerable.
South Africa has a proud history of protest, from the anti-apartheid marches of the past to more recent demonstrations over housing, jobs, and service delivery. But when these actions spill into schools, the consequences can be far-reaching. The Bothaville protests are a reminder of how quickly local issues can escalate, leaving unintended victims in their wake.
Community leaders have been roped in to help calm tensions. The department has called on them to work with residents and ensure that schooling resumes as soon as possible. “We need everyone to come to the table—parents, leaders, and protesters,” Ndaba said. “Our children’s future depends on it.”
Department Steps In
The Free State Department of Education isn’t sitting idle. Senior officials have been dispatched to Bothaville to assess the situation firsthand. Their mission? To monitor developments, support schools, and provide guidance on how to get learning back on track. “To address the situation, the department has deployed senior officials to monitor the situation and advise schools on the way forward,” Ndaba confirmed.
This hands-on approach signals the department’s determination to restore order. Schools have been instructed to keep parents informed, while officials work behind the scenes to liaise with police, local government, and community representatives. The department has also promised regular updates through its official channels, including its website and social media platforms, to keep the public in the loop.
For now, the focus is on de-escalation. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure schools can reopen safely,” Ndaba said. “The public will be kept informed of any updates or developments through official communication channels of the department.”
Voices from the Ground
The human cost of the protests is impossible to ignore. Teachers, learners, and parents are caught in the crossfire, grappling with uncertainty and frustration. Thabo Letsie, a Grade 11 learner at one of the affected secondary schools, shared his disappointment. “We were just starting to get into our work for the year, and now this. It’s hard to catch up when you miss so much.”
Teachers, too, are feeling the strain. “It’s not just about lessons,” said Sarah Ndlovu, a primary school educator. “When schools close, children lose structure. For some, it’s their only safe place. This hurts more than people realise.”
Parents like Mokgosi are torn between supporting the protests and wanting normalcy for their kids. “I understand why people are angry,” she said. “But there has to be another way. Shutting down schools isn’t the answer.”
A Broader Crisis in Free State Education?
The Bothaville protests aren’t an isolated incident. Education in the Free State has faced mounting challenges in recent years. A News24 report from earlier this month highlighted budget cuts that have left schools struggling to pay for basics like electricity and textbooks. Teacher unions have also raised alarms about vacant posts and overcrowded classrooms, particularly in rural districts like Lejweleputswa.
The protests could be a symptom of deeper unrest, with communities feeling neglected by both local and provincial authorities. In a statement on 20 February 2025, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) called for urgent intervention in the province’s education system, warning that disruptions like those in Bothaville could become more common without systemic change.
Experts agree that the stakes are high. Dr Lindiwe Mokoena, an education analyst based in Bloemfontein, told TimesLIVE on 25 February 2025 that rural schools are particularly at risk. “When communities feel ignored, they lash out where it’s felt most—schools, clinics, roads,” she said. “But the ones who lose out are the children.”
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