From Milestone to Mission: MEC Hlomuka Outlines the Vision for KZN Education

Image: KZN Legislature

Following a historic year that saw KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) emerge as the top-performing province in South Africa, MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka addressed the media at Addington Primary School this morning. His message was clear: while the province celebrates its 2025 achievements, the mission for 2026 is to move from being the best in the country to becoming the "education capital of the continent."

A Legacy of Excellence

The 2026 academic year has launched with a formidable challenge. MEC Hlomuka praised the Class of 2025 for their "discipline, resilience, and sacrifice," noting that their success proved what is possible through consistency. However, he urged the current Class of 2026 to not only reach the top but to stay there.

"The task is clear," Hlomuka stated. "Build on this legacy, raise the bar higher, and ensure that KZN remains the benchmark for quality learner performance."

Growth Amidst Fiscal Constraints

With 2.9 million learners enrolled for the 2026 academic year, KZN has become the first province to reach its enrollment targets. This milestone was achieved through a coordinated effort between school management, parents, and communities.

Despite these successes, the MEC did not shy away from the harsh financial realities facing the department. With a budget of R62.989 billion, nearly 89% (R51.398 billion) is allocated to the compensation of over 88,000 educators and support staff. This leaves a slim margin for operations and infrastructure, leading to challenges such as:

• Delayed payments to service providers.

• Constraints in adding new educators to the system.

• Logistical hurdles in the distribution of textbooks and stationery.

  
  

Nevertheless, Hlomuka confirmed that Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) are being distributed in phases, with Grade R, Foundation Phase, and Grade 12 being prioritized to meet curriculum demands.

Defending the Sanctuary of Learning

A significant portion of the briefing addressed the recent disruptions at Addington Primary School. MEC Hlomuka took a firm stand against "disruptive protests" and the "inflammatory rhetoric" that has targeted the school’s leadership and student body.

The MEC moved swiftly to debunk dangerous misinformation circulating on social media:

• On Staff Nationality: Allegations that the Principal and staff are foreign nationals are false and put innocent lives at risk.

• On Enrollment Demographics: Of the 1,548 learners at Addington Primary, 968 are South African and 580 are foreign nationals.

• On Documentation: Of the 17 undocumented learners at the school, the majority (12) are South African.

  
  

"The Constitution is unambiguous," Hlomuka reminded the public. "Every child within our borders has the right to basic education. We will not allow schools to be misused as sites of social conflict."

A Path Forward

To resolve the current impasse at Addington Primary, the Department has announced "extraordinary measures" to assist families affected by recent disasters who are seeking placement. While the school is currently at capacity, the Department has negotiated reduced rates with a local ECD center to accommodate Grade R learners, ensuring they have a feeder path into Grade 1.

MEC Hlomuka concluded by calling for a "society-wide solution" to school safety and crime, urging parents to rely on official communication rather than social media rumors. As the province enters the third week of the school year, the focus remains steadfast: protecting the classroom as a sacred space for learning, development, and constructive citizenship.