ANC applauds KZN education's swift action at Addington Primary admission crisis
Men in camouflage holding guard as the situation between protesting groups intensified at Addington Primary School in South Beach, Durban, on Wednesday where some organisations accused the school of prioritising children of foreign nationals over South African children, a claim dismissed by the school and the Department of Education. Police had to use tear gas to dispurse the protesting crowd that was refusing to move.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has commended the provincial Department of Education for its swift intervention in resolving learner admissions challenges at Addington Primary School, saying the move helped restore stability and prevent disruption to teaching and learning.
The intervention followed community concerns and protests sparked by allegations that the school had prioritised undocumented foreign nationals over South African learners. The ANC said these claims caused unnecessary anxiety and risked destabilising the school environment.
According to a verified enrolment report, Addington Primary opened the 2026 academic year smoothly and is operating at full capacity, with a total enrolment of 1,582 learners. Of these, 580 are foreign nationals in possession of valid documentation.
The report further shows that there are 12 undocumented South African learners and five undocumented foreign nationals at the school, confirming that South African learners make up the majority of enrolments.The Department of Education placed all affected learners at Addington Primary and neighbouring schools, including Clayton, Collegevale, Greyville and St Anthony’s primary schools.
The ANC also welcomed the placement of 66 learners identified during community protests, noting that 40 of them were already enrolled at other schools and required transfers rather than new admissions.
The ANC praised its Health, Education and Science Subcommittee, led by convenor Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, as well as eThekwini Ward 26 councillor Sbusiso Lushaba and other stakeholders, including police, for working to prevent the situation from escalating.
At the same time, the party condemned what it described as reckless and inflammatory statements made during the dispute, including threats of violence. The ANC warned that such behaviour undermines social cohesion and violates democratic values of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
The party urged communities to prioritise enrolling learners at schools closest to their homes to promote access, safety and stability within the education system.
It also acknowledged long-standing underfunding challenges faced by the Department of Education, which it said have affected service delivery.
The ANC called for closer cooperation between the departments of Education, Home Affairs and the police to address issues related to undocumented learners without undermining teaching and learning.
It appealed for calm, restraint and unity, cautioning against narratives that divide communities along nationality lines, and reaffirmed its commitment to non-racialism, social cohesion and human dignity.
The party further urged the Government of Provincial Unity to intensify social cohesion initiatives in affected communities to promote harmony, communication and peaceful coexistence.