Struggling mother fears for children's future amid education struggles
Xoli Mtshali, a 32-year-old mother, is desperately seeking help for her two children with learning disabilities who have been out of school for over two years.
"I went to two schools in our area and they sent us to the district office in Johannesburg," Mtshali said. "We were asked why I waited this long to enroll the children, but I told them that I had problems and I recently moved here."
Mpho Kibi-Malinga, a concerned neighbor, expressed her worries for the boys' well-being. "They had stolen money from one house, and I had to step in and explain their mental situation," she said. "I am starting to fear for them because people will not be gentle to them when it comes to their possessions."
Mtshali acknowledged the boys' recent involvement in petty crime. "All they had been doing for the past two years was roam the streets while their peers were at school," she said. "I really need my children to go to school more than anything, it will keep them safe from a lot of negative things happening in our community."
Despite their efforts, Mtshali and Kibi-Malinga have faced bureaucratic hurdles in enrolling the children. "It's been almost two years without them attending school," Mtshali said.
Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona claims that Mtshali has received assistance. However, Mtshali and her neighbor maintain that the situation remains unresolved.
"This place is not a good place for kids like them to just roam around and not go to school," Mtshali said, fearing for her children's future.
"I went to two schools in our area and they sent us to the district office in Johannesburg," Mtshali said. "We were asked why I waited this long to enroll the children, but I told them that I had problems and I recently moved here."
Mpho Kibi-Malinga, a concerned neighbor, expressed her worries for the boys' well-being. "They had stolen money from one house, and I had to step in and explain their mental situation," she said. "I am starting to fear for them because people will not be gentle to them when it comes to their possessions."
Mtshali acknowledged the boys' recent involvement in petty crime. "All they had been doing for the past two years was roam the streets while their peers were at school," she said. "I really need my children to go to school more than anything, it will keep them safe from a lot of negative things happening in our community."
Despite their efforts, Mtshali and Kibi-Malinga have faced bureaucratic hurdles in enrolling the children. "It's been almost two years without them attending school," Mtshali said.
Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona claims that Mtshali has received assistance. However, Mtshali and her neighbor maintain that the situation remains unresolved.
"This place is not a good place for kids like them to just roam around and not go to school," Mtshali said, fearing for her children's future.
