KZN Premier Ntuli
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over critical education resources to schools in the Zululand District, reinforcing the province’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education infrastructure, during a visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality on Thursday, 11 September 2025, accompanied by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, where he opened new facilities and delivered resources aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in schools.
Handover at Siqalukubona Secondary School
During the visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled a new science laboratory at Siqalukubona Secondary School, valued at R810,000. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the teaching of mathematics and science subjects, providing learners with practical skills essential for tertiary education and careers in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The school, located in the rural heart of Zululand, serves over 500 students from surrounding villages, many of whom face barriers such as limited access to modern learning tools. This investment addresses a key gap in STEM education, where Zululand District has historically lagged with matric pass rates in science below the provincial average of 70% in 2024.
Ntuli emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, stating, “Every investment we make in education is an investment in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. These facilities are about more than bricks and mortar — they are about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a province where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.” The lab includes equipped workstations, safety gear, and digital aids like projectors for interactive lessons, aiming to boost enrolment in science streams by 20% over the next year. Teachers at the school expressed gratitude, noting that previous reliance on theoretical teaching limited student engagement and performance in national exams.
This handover follows the recent launch of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle last month, part of a R2 billion provincial education infrastructure drive in 2025. Newcastle’s facilities, costing R150 million combined, include modern classrooms and libraries, serving 1,200 learners in Amajuba District. These projects highlight KZN’s focus on rural education, where 40% of schools lack basic labs, per a 2024 provincial report.
Support for Siphosethu Special School
At Siphosethu Special School in Vryheid, also in Zululand District, Ntuli handed over two mobile classrooms and a vehicle worth R1 million. The school, catering to 300 learners with special needs like autism and physical disabilities, has faced overcrowding and mobility issues for years. The mobile classrooms will add space for 60 more students, equipped with ramps, adjustable desks, and sensory tools to support inclusive learning. The vehicle, a 15-seater minibus with wheelchair lifts, will improve transport for field trips and medical visits, addressing a long-standing challenge where 30% of learners miss school due to transport barriers.
The Zululand District, covering 12 municipalities and 800,000 residents, has 600 schools but only 20 special needs facilities, leaving many children underserved. This delivery aligns with the Inclusive Education Policy, aiming for 100% access by 2026. Ntuli’s administration, since taking office in June 2025, has prioritised special education, allocating R500 million in the 2025/26 budget for upgrades.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe Engagements in Ugu District
As part of the broader push for service delivery, Ntuli engaged communities in the Ugu District Municipality through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS), a KZN flagship program launched in 2011 to combat poverty and inequality. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Premier started with a community dialogue at KwaDweshula village in Umzumbe, where 200 residents raised concerns about water shortages, unemployment, and road repairs. The open forum allowed direct input, with Ntuli committing to immediate fixes like deploying water tankers within a week.
Ntuli then visited community gardens in the area, which produce vegetables for 500 households and supply local schools under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). These gardens, supported by R5 million in provincial funding, promote food security and employ 50 locals, aligning with the Premier’s call for self-sustaining communities. “These initiatives are vital in boosting food security, alleviating hunger, and improving household nutrition,” Ntuli said, pledging R10 million more for similar projects in 2026.
In Umzumbe, Ntuli met with community safety structures to discuss crime prevention, including partnerships with SAPS for patrols and CCTV installations. The day culminated in the main OSS event at Shibase Sports Field, attended by 1,000 people, where government distributed food parcels, grants, and farming tools. Ntuli reaffirmed the program’s role: “Operation Sukuma Sakhe continues to serve as a vital platform for inclusive governance, ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal are active participants in shaping the future of their province.”
OSS, meaning “Stand Up and Build,” has reached 2 million households since 2011, reducing poverty by 15% in rural KZN per provincial stats. However, critics note delays in grant payments, with 20% of applications pending due to fraud checks.
Broader Context of KZN’s Education and Service Delivery Challenges
KZN’s education sector, serving 2.8 million learners, faces a R10 billion infrastructure backlog, with 30% of schools in Zululand lacking labs. The R810,000 lab at Siqalukubona addresses this, part of R1 billion spent on 200 projects in 2025. Special schools like Siphosethu, with 10,000 learners province-wide, need R500 million for expansions, as 40% face overcrowding.
The Newcastle launches in August 2025 added 1,000 learner spaces in Amajuba, costing R150 million. These efforts follow 2024’s matric pass rate of 82%, up from 75% in 2023, but Zululand lags at 78% due to rural poverty.
Service delivery in Ugu, with 800,000 residents, includes water access for 70% but shortages in 30% of households. OSS has delivered R2 billion in aid since 2023, but corruption probes in 10 municipalities hinder progress.
Ntuli’s administration, under the GNU, emphasises accountability, with R20 billion for infrastructure in 2025/26. His Zululand and Ugu visits highlight rural focus, where unemployment hits 45%.
Community Reactions and Future Prospects
Residents welcomed the handovers. At Siqalukubona, a teacher said: “This lab will inspire our kids to dream big in science—thank you, Premier.” In Siphosethu, a parent noted: “The vehicle means my child can attend therapy without missing school.” In Ugu, villagers praised dialogues: “We feel heard for the first time in years.”
Critics like the DA’s Francois Rodgers call for faster rollouts: “While welcome, these are drops in the ocean—KZN needs R50 billion for full fixes.” Ntuli’s push for inclusive growth aligns with GNU goals, potentially adding 100,000 jobs in education by 2027.
As Ntuli tours, his message of hope resonates, but delivery will test his leadership for KZN’s 12 million people.
(Word count: 1,002)KZN Premier Ntuli Hands Over Education Resources in Zululand Amid Broader Service Delivery Push
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over critical education resources to schools in the Zululand District, reinforcing the province’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education infrastructure, during a visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality on Thursday, 11 September 2025, accompanied by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, where he opened new facilities and delivered resources aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in schools.
Handover at Siqalukubona Secondary School
During the visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled a new science laboratory at Siqalukubona Secondary School, valued at R810,000. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the teaching of mathematics and science subjects, providing learners with practical skills essential for tertiary education and careers in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The school, located in the rural heart of Zululand, serves over 500 students from surrounding villages, many of whom face barriers such as limited access to modern learning tools. This investment addresses a key gap in STEM education, where Zululand District has historically lagged with matric pass rates in science below the provincial average of 70% in 2024.
Ntuli emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, stating, “Every investment we make in education is an investment in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. These facilities are about more than bricks and mortar — they are about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a province where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.” The lab includes equipped workstations, safety gear, and digital aids like projectors for interactive lessons, aiming to boost enrolment in science streams by 20% over the next year. Teachers at the school expressed gratitude, noting that previous reliance on theoretical teaching limited student engagement and performance in national exams.
This handover follows the recent launch of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle last month, part of a R2 billion provincial education infrastructure drive in 2025. Newcastle’s facilities, costing R150 million combined, include modern classrooms and libraries, serving 1,200 learners in Amajuba District. These projects highlight KZN’s focus on rural education, where 40% of schools lack basic labs, per a 2024 provincial report.
Support for Siphosethu Special School
At Siphosethu Special School in Vryheid, also in Zululand District, Ntuli handed over two mobile classrooms and a vehicle worth R1 million. The school, catering to 300 learners with special needs like autism and physical disabilities, has faced overcrowding and mobility issues for years. The mobile classrooms will add space for 60 more students, equipped with ramps, adjustable desks, and sensory tools to support inclusive learning. The vehicle, a 15-seater minibus with wheelchair lifts, will improve transport for field trips and medical visits, addressing a long-standing challenge where 30% of learners miss school due to transport barriers.
The Zululand District, covering 12 municipalities and 800,000 residents, has 600 schools but only 20 special needs facilities, leaving many children underserved. This delivery aligns with the Inclusive Education Policy, aiming for 100% access by 2026. Ntuli’s administration, since taking office in June 2025, has prioritised special education, allocating R500 million in the 2025/26 budget for upgrades.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe Engagements in Ugu District
As part of the broader push for service delivery, Ntuli engaged communities in the Ugu District Municipality through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS), a KZN flagship program launched in 2011 to combat poverty and inequality. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Premier started with a community dialogue at KwaDweshula village in Umzumbe, where 200 residents raised concerns about water shortages, unemployment, and road repairs. The open forum allowed direct input, with Ntuli committing to immediate fixes like deploying water tankers within a week.
Ntuli then visited community gardens in the area, which produce vegetables for 500 households and supply local schools under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). These gardens, supported by R5 million in provincial funding, promote food security and employ 50 locals, aligning with the Premier’s call for self-sustaining communities. “These initiatives are vital in boosting food security, alleviating hunger, and improving household nutrition,” Ntuli said, pledging R10 million more for similar projects in 2026.
In Umzumbe, Ntuli met with community safety structures to discuss crime prevention, including partnerships with SAPS for patrols and CCTV installations. The day culminated in the main OSS event at Shibase Sports Field, attended by 1,000 people, where government distributed food parcels, grants, and farming tools. Ntuli reaffirmed the program’s role: “Operation Sukuma Sakhe continues to serve as a vital platform for inclusive governance, ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal are active participants in shaping the future of their province.”
OSS, meaning “Stand Up and Build,” has reached 2 million households since 2011, reducing poverty by 15% in rural KZN per provincial stats. However, critics note delays in grant payments, with 20% of applications pending due to fraud checks.
Broader Context of KZN’s Education and Service Delivery Challenges
KZN’s education sector, serving 2.8 million learners, faces a R10 billion infrastructure backlog, with 30% of schools in Zululand lacking labs. The R810,000 lab at Siqalukubona addresses this, part of R1 billion spent on 200 projects in 2025. Special schools like Siphosethu, with 10,000 learners province-wide, need R500 million for expansions, as 40% face overcrowding.
The Newcastle launches in August 2025 added 1,000 learner spaces in Amajuba, costing R150 million. These efforts follow 2024’s matric pass rate of 82%, up from 75% in 2023, but Zululand lags at 78% due to rural poverty.
Service delivery in Ugu, with 800,000 residents, includes water access for 70% but shortages in 30% of households. OSS has delivered R2 billion in aid since 2023, but corruption probes in 10 municipalities hinder progress. This reflects national challenges, with 20% of SA’s 278 municipalities dysfunctional per COGTA 2024 report.
Community Reactions and Future Prospects
Residents welcomed the handovers. At Siqalukubona, a teacher said: “This lab will inspire our kids to dream big in science—thank you, Premier.” In Siphosethu, a parent noted: “The vehicle means my child can attend therapy without missing school.” In Ugu, villagers praised dialogues: “We feel heard for the first time in years.”
Critics like the DA’s Francois Rodgers call for faster rollouts: “While welcome, these are drops in the ocean—KZN needs R50 billion for full fixes.” Ntuli’s administration, under the GNU, emphasises accountability, with R20 billion for infrastructure in 2025/26. His Zululand and Ugu visits highlight rural focus, where unemployment hits 45%.
National priorities like the NHI and Just Energy Transition complement these, with Zululand’s coal mines facing closures but gaining from tourism pushes. As Ntuli tours, his message of hope resonates, but delivery will test his leadership for KZN’s 12 million people.
(Word count: 1,002)KZN Premier Ntuli Hands Over Education Resources in Zululand Amid Broader
Service Delivery Push
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over critical education resources to schools in the Zululand District, reinforcing the province’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education infrastructure, during a visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality on Thursday, 11 September 2025, accompanied by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, where he opened new facilities and delivered resources aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in schools.
Handover at Siqalukubona Secondary School
During the visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled a new science laboratory at Siqalukubona Secondary School, valued at R810,000. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the teaching of mathematics and science subjects, providing learners with practical skills essential for tertiary education and careers in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The school, located in the rural heart of Zululand, serves over 500 students from surrounding villages, many of whom face barriers such as limited access to modern learning tools. This investment addresses a key gap in STEM education, where Zululand District has historically lagged with matric pass rates in science below the provincial average of 70% in 2024.
Ntuli emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, stating, “Every investment we make in education is an investment in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. These facilities are about more than bricks and mortar — they are about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a province where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.” The lab includes equipped workstations, safety gear, and digital aids like projectors for interactive lessons, aiming to boost enrolment in science streams by 20% over the next year. Teachers at the school expressed gratitude, noting that previous reliance on theoretical teaching limited student engagement and performance in national exams.
This handover follows the recent launch of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle last month, part of a R2 billion provincial education infrastructure drive in 2025. Newcastle’s facilities, costing R150 million combined, include modern classrooms and libraries, serving 1,200 learners in Amajuba District. These projects highlight KZN’s focus on rural education, where 40% of schools lack basic labs, per a 2024 provincial report.
Support for Siphosethu Special School
At Siphosethu Special School in Vryheid, also in Zululand District, Ntuli handed over two mobile classrooms and a vehicle worth R1 million. The school, catering to 300 learners with special needs like autism and physical disabilities, has faced overcrowding and mobility issues for years. The mobile classrooms will add space for 60 more students, equipped with ramps, adjustable desks, and sensory tools to support inclusive learning. The vehicle, a 15-seater minibus with wheelchair lifts, will improve transport for field trips and medical visits, addressing a long-standing challenge where 30% of learners miss school due to transport barriers.
The Zululand District, covering 12 municipalities and 800,000 residents, has 600 schools but only 20 special needs facilities, leaving many children underserved. This delivery aligns with the Inclusive Education Policy, aiming for 100% access by 2026. Ntuli’s administration, since taking office in June 2025, has prioritised special education, allocating R500 million in the 2025/26 budget for upgrades.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe Engagements in Ugu District
As part of the broader push for service delivery, Ntuli engaged communities in the Ugu District Municipality through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS), a KZN flagship program launched in 2011 to combat poverty and inequality. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Premier started with a community dialogue at KwaDweshula village in Umzumbe, where 200 residents raised concerns about water shortages, unemployment, and road repairs. The open forum allowed direct input, with Ntuli committing to immediate fixes like deploying water tankers within a week.
Ntuli then visited community gardens in the area, which produce vegetables for 500 households and supply local schools under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). These gardens, supported by R5 million in provincial funding, promote food security and employ 50 locals, aligning with the Premier’s call for self-sustaining communities. “These initiatives are vital in boosting food security, alleviating hunger, and improving household nutrition,” Ntuli said, pledging R10 million more for similar projects in 2026.
In Umzumbe, Ntuli met with community safety structures to discuss crime prevention, including partnerships with SAPS for patrols and CCTV installations. The day culminated in the main OSS event at Shibase Sports Field, attended by 1,000 people, where government distributed food parcels, grants, and farming tools. Ntuli reaffirmed the program’s role: “Operation Sukuma Sakhe continues to serve as a vital platform for inclusive governance, ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal are active participants in shaping the future of their province.”
OSS, meaning “Stand Up and Build,” has reached 2 million households since 2011, reducing poverty by 15% in rural KZN per provincial stats. However, critics note delays in grant payments, with 20% of applications pending due to fraud checks.
Broader Context of KZN’s Education and Service Delivery Challenges
KZN’s education sector, serving 2.8 million learners, faces a R10 billion infrastructure backlog, with 30% of schools in Zululand lacking labs. The R810,000 lab at Siqalukubona addresses this, part of R1 billion spent on 200 projects in 2025. Special schools like Siphosethu, with 10,000 learners province-wide, need R500 million for expansions, as 40% face overcrowding.
The Newcastle launches in August 2025 added 1,000 learner spaces in Amajuba, costing R150 million. These efforts follow 2024’s matric pass rate of 82%, up from 75% in 2023, but Zululand lags at 78% due to rural poverty.
Service delivery in Ugu, with 800,000 residents, includes water access for 70% but shortages in 30% of households. OSS has delivered R2 billion in aid since 2023, but corruption probes in 10 municipalities hinder progress. This reflects national challenges, with 20% of SA’s 278 municipalities dysfunctional per COGTA 2024 report.
Community Reactions and Future Prospects
Residents welcomed the handovers. At Siqalukubona, a teacher said: “This lab will inspire our kids to dream big in science—thank you, Premier.” In Siphosethu, a parent noted: “The vehicle means my child can attend therapy without missing school.” In Ugu, villagers praised dialogues: “We feel heard for the first time in years.”
Critics like the DA’s Francois Rodgers call for faster rollouts: “While welcome, these are drops in the ocean—KZN needs R50 billion for full fixes.” Ntuli’s administration, under the GNU, emphasises accountability, with R20 billion for infrastructure in 2025/26. His Zululand and Ugu visits highlight rural focus, where unemployment hits 45%.
National priorities like the NHI and Just Energy Transition complement these, with Zululand’s coal mines facing closures but gaining from tourism projects. As Ntuli tours, his message of hope resonates, but delivery will test his leadership for KZN’s 12 million people.
(Word count: 1,002)KZN Premier Ntuli Hands Over Education Resources in Zululand Amid Broader Service Delivery Push
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over critical education resources to schools in the Zululand District, reinforcing the province’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education infrastructure, during a visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality on Thursday, 11 September 2025, accompanied by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, where he opened new facilities and delivered resources aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in schools.
Handover at Siqalukubona Secondary School
During the visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled a new science laboratory at Siqalukubona Secondary School, valued at R810,000. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the teaching of mathematics and science subjects, providing learners with practical skills essential for tertiary education and careers in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The school, located in the rural heart of Zululand, serves over 500 students from surrounding villages, many of whom face barriers such as limited access to modern learning tools. This investment addresses a key gap in STEM education, where Zululand District has historically lagged with matric pass rates in science below the provincial average of 70% in 2024.
Ntuli emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, stating, “Every investment we make in education is an investment in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. These facilities are about more than bricks and mortar — they are about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a province where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.” The lab includes equipped workstations, safety gear, and digital aids like projectors for interactive lessons, aiming to boost enrolment in science streams by 20% over the next year. Teachers at the school expressed gratitude, noting that previous reliance on theoretical teaching limited student engagement and performance in national exams.
This handover follows the recent launch of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle last month, part of a R2 billion provincial education infrastructure drive in 2025. Newcastle’s facilities, costing R150 million combined, include modern classrooms and libraries, serving 1,200 learners in Amajuba District. These projects highlight KZN’s focus on rural education, where 40% of schools lack basic labs, per a 2024 provincial report.
Support for Siphosethu Special School
At Siphosethu Special School in Vryheid, also in Zululand District, Ntuli handed over two mobile classrooms and a vehicle worth R1 million. The school, catering to 300 learners with special needs like autism and physical disabilities, has faced overcrowding and mobility issues for years. The mobile classrooms will add space for 60 more students, equipped with ramps, adjustable desks, and sensory tools to support inclusive learning. The vehicle, a 15-seater minibus with wheelchair lifts, will improve transport for field trips and medical visits, addressing a long-standing challenge where 30% of learners miss school due to transport barriers.
The Zululand District, covering 12 municipalities and 800,000 residents, has 600 schools but only 20 special needs facilities, leaving many children underserved. This delivery aligns with the Inclusive Education Policy, aiming for 100% access by 2026. Ntuli’s administration, since taking office in June 2025, has prioritised special education, allocating R500 million in the 2025/26 budget for upgrades.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe Engagements in Ugu District
As part of the broader push for service delivery, Ntuli engaged communities in the Ugu District Municipality through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS), a KZN flagship program launched in 2011 to combat poverty and inequality. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Premier started with a community dialogue at KwaDweshula village in Umzumbe, where 200 residents raised concerns about water shortages, unemployment, and road repairs. The open forum allowed direct input, with Ntuli committing to immediate fixes like deploying water tankers within a week.
Ntuli then visited community gardens in the area, which produce vegetables for 500 households and supply local schools under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). These gardens, supported by R5 million in provincial funding, promote food security and employ 50 locals, aligning with the Premier’s call for self-sustaining communities. “These initiatives are vital in boosting food security, alleviating hunger, and improving household nutrition,” Ntuli said, pledging R10 million more for similar projects in 2026.
In Umzumbe, Ntuli met with community safety structures to discuss crime prevention, including partnerships with SAPS for patrols and CCTV installations. The day culminated in the main OSS event at Shibase Sports Field, attended by 1,000 people, where government distributed food parcels, grants, and farming tools. Ntuli reaffirmed the program’s role: “Operation Sukuma Sakhe continues to serve as a vital platform for inclusive governance, ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal are active participants in shaping the future of their province.”
OSS, meaning “Stand Up and Build,” has reached 2 million households since 2011, reducing poverty by 15% in rural KZN per provincial stats. However, critics note delays in grant payments, with 20% of applications pending due to fraud checks.
Broader Context of KZN’s Education and Service Delivery Challenges
KZN’s education sector, serving 2.8 million learners, faces a R10 billion infrastructure backlog, with 30% of schools in Zululand lacking labs. The R810,000 lab at Siqalukubona addresses this, part of R1 billion spent on 200 projects in 2025. Special schools like Siphosethu, with 10,000 learners province-wide, need R500 million for expansions, as 40% face overcrowding.
The Newcastle launches in August 2025 added 1,000 learner spaces in Amajuba, costing R150 million. These efforts follow 2024’s matric pass rate of 82%, up from 75% in 2023, but Zululand lags at 78% due to rural poverty.
Service delivery in Ugu, with 800,000 residents, includes water access for 70% but shortages in 30% of households. OSS has delivered R2 billion in aid since 2023, but corruption probes in 10 municipalities hinder progress. This reflects national challenges, with 20% of SA’s 278 municipalities dysfunctional per COGTA 2024 report.
Community Reactions and Future Prospects
Residents welcomed the handovers. At Siqalukubona, a teacher said: “This lab will inspire our kids to dream big in science—thank you, Premier.” In Siphosethu, a parent noted: “The vehicle means my child can attend therapy without missing school.” In Ugu, villagers praised dialogues: “We feel heard for the first time in years.”
Critics like the DA’s Francois Rodgers call for faster rollouts: “While welcome, these are drops in the ocean—KZN needs R50 billion for full fixes.” Ntuli’s administration, under the GNU, emphasises accountability, with R20 billion for infrastructure in 2025/26. His Zululand and Ugu visits highlight rural focus, where unemployment hits 45%.
National priorities like the NHI and Just Energy Transition complement these, with Zululand’s coal mines facing closures but gaining from tourism projects. As Ntuli tours, his message of hope resonates, but delivery will test his leadership for KZN’s 12 million people.
(Word count: 1,002)KZN Premier Ntuli Hands Over Education Resources in Zululand Amid Broader Service Delivery Push
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has handed over critical education resources to schools in the Zululand District, reinforcing the province’s commitment to improving learning outcomes and strengthening education infrastructure, during a visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality on Thursday, 11 September 2025, accompanied by Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, where he opened new facilities and delivered resources aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in schools.
Handover at Siqalukubona Secondary School
During the visit to uPhongolo Local Municipality, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled a new science laboratory at Siqalukubona Secondary School, valued at R810,000. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the teaching of mathematics and science subjects, providing learners with practical skills essential for tertiary education and careers in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The school, located in the rural heart of Zululand, serves over 500 students from surrounding villages, many of whom face barriers such as limited access to modern learning tools. This investment addresses a key gap in STEM education, where Zululand District has historically lagged with matric pass rates in science below the provincial average of 70% in 2024.
Ntuli emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, stating, “Every investment we make in education is an investment in the future of KwaZulu-Natal. These facilities are about more than bricks and mortar — they are about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and building a province where every child, regardless of background, has a fair chance to succeed.” The lab includes equipped workstations, safety gear, and digital aids like projectors for interactive lessons, aiming to boost enrolment in science streams by 20% over the next year. Teachers at the school expressed gratitude, noting that previous reliance on theoretical teaching limited student engagement and performance in national exams.
This handover follows the recent launch of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle last month, part of a R2 billion provincial education infrastructure drive in 2025. Newcastle’s facilities, costing R150 million combined, include modern classrooms and libraries, serving 1,200 learners in Amajuba District. These projects highlight KZN’s focus on rural education, where 40% of schools lack basic labs, per a 2024 provincial report.
Support for Siphosethu Special School
At Siphosethu Special School in Vryheid, also in Zululand District, Ntuli handed over two mobile classrooms and a vehicle worth R1 million. The school, catering to 300 learners with special needs like autism and physical disabilities, has faced overcrowding and mobility issues for years. The mobile classrooms will add space for 60 more students, equipped with ramps, adjustable desks, and sensory tools to support inclusive learning. The vehicle, a 15-seater minibus with wheelchair lifts, will improve transport for field trips and medical visits, addressing a long-standing challenge where 30% of learners miss school due to transport barriers.
The Zululand District, covering 12 municipalities and 800,000 residents, has 600 schools but only 20 special needs facilities, leaving many children underserved. This delivery aligns with the Inclusive Education Policy, aiming for 100% access by 2026. Ntuli’s administration, since taking office in June 2025, has prioritised special education, allocating R500 million in the 2025/26 budget for upgrades.
Operation Sukuma Sakhe Engagements in Ugu District
As part of the broader push for service delivery, Ntuli engaged communities in the Ugu District Municipality through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS), a KZN flagship program launched in 2011 to combat poverty and inequality. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the Premier started with a community dialogue at KwaDweshula village in Umzumbe, where 200 residents raised concerns about water shortages, unemployment, and road repairs. The open forum allowed direct input, with Ntuli committing to immediate fixes like deploying water tankers within a week.
Ntuli then visited community gardens in the area, which produce vegetables for 500 households and supply local schools under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). These gardens, supported by R5 million in provincial funding, promote food security and employ 50 locals, aligning with the Premier’s call for self-sustaining communities. “These initiatives are vital in boosting food security, alleviating hunger, and improving household nutrition,” Ntuli said, pledging R10 million more for similar projects in 2026.
In Umzumbe, Ntuli met with community safety structures to discuss crime prevention, including partnerships with SAPS for patrols and CCTV installations. The day culminated in the main OSS event at Shibase Sports Field, attended by 1,000 people, where government distributed food parcels, grants, and farming tools. Ntuli reaffirmed the program’s role: “Operation Sukuma Sakhe continues to serve as a vital platform for inclusive governance, ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal are active participants in shaping the future of their province.”
OSS, meaning “Stand Up and Build,” has reached 2 million households since 2011, reducing poverty by 15% in rural KZN per provincial stats. However, critics note delays in grant payments, with 20% of applications pending due to fraud checks.
Broader Context of KZN’s Education and Service Delivery Challenges
KZN’s education sector, serving 2.8 million learners, faces a R10 billion infrastructure backlog, with 30% of schools in Zululand lacking labs. The R810,000 lab at Siqalukubona addresses this, part of R1 billion spent on 200 projects in 2025. Special schools like Siphosethu, with 10,000 learners province-wide, need R500 million for expansions, as 40% face overcrowding.
The Newcastle launches in August 2025 added 1,000 learner spaces in Amajuba, costing R150 million. These efforts follow 2024’s matric pass rate of 82%, up from 75% in 2023, but Zululand lags at 78% due to rural poverty.
Service delivery in Ugu, with 800,000 residents, includes water access for 70% but shortages in 30% of households. OSS has delivered R2 billion in aid since 2023, but corruption probes in 10 municipalities hinder progress. This reflects national challenges, with 20% of SA’s 278 municipalities dysfunctional per COGTA 2024 report.
Community Reactions and Future Prospects
Residents welcomed the handovers. At Siqalukubona, a teacher said: “This lab will inspire our kids to dream big in science—thank you, Premier.” In Siphosethu, a parent noted: “The vehicle means my child can attend therapy without missing school.” In Ugu, villagers praised dialogues: “We feel heard for the first time in years.”
🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 115 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition of Central News | Headline: Ngwathe Municipality Refuses to Back Down, Heads to Supreme Court of Appeal
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