EFF leadership, led by its Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema, conducted an oversight visit to Gauteng’s best and worst-performing schools. The visits were part of the party’s efforts to evaluate conditions in the Basic Education sector and identify areas for intervention.
Under its #UmntanaEskolweni campaign, the party first visited Lefhereng Secondary School in Soweto, which the party described as the best-performing public school in Gauteng.
The school received an R100,000 award to support its educational programs.
“Julius Malema conducted an oversight visit to Lefhereng Secondary School in Soweto, the best-performing public school in Gauteng, boasting a 100% pass rate and 97% bachelor passes. The EFF contributed R100,000 to support the school, which also operates out of mobile classrooms,” said the party in a statement.
Speaking to The Star, Sebonwang Mphahlele, principal of Lefhereng Secondary School in Soweto, said she was honoured that the EFF president made such a significant contribution to the school and assured everyone that the money would be put to good use.
“The donation made by Julius Malema will benefit the school, and it makes the school happy as this contribution will assist in programmes that will continue improving the school results and every resource the school needs to provide a conducive environment for our matriculants.”
Having joined the school in 2020 during the peak of COVID-19, Mphahlele faced an enormous challenge as she was tasked with transforming an underperforming school into one of the best-performing institutions in Soweto.
In 2019, the matric class achieved a 51.1% pass rate, with less than 30% qualifying for bachelor's degrees, leading to the school being classified as underperforming.
Mphahlele said she was transferred to Lefhereng from Raymond Mhlaba Secondary in Tshepisong where she was a deputy principal.
“I was recommended by the district to come and assist the school. It was not a simple journey to walk since I had to create a new organisational culture as the new leader, and not all of the team was willing to follow. I then worked with those who agreed with the strategy, and it worked that’s when the school got 86.1%, everyone now came on board, and we started working as a team. Since then, the school has been thriving for success,” she said.
Lefhereng Secondary Matric Results since Mphahlele was tasked with transforming the school:
In 2020 the school received 86.1%
2021 - 98.1%
2022 - 91%
2023 - 98.2%
2024 - 100%
The 2024 results were undoubtedly impressive, with the school's 165 candidates achieving 160 bachelor passes and five diploma passes.
The overjoyed principal stated that the 100% pass rate meant every learner who matriculated in 2024 now had the opportunity to improve their lives through university access or job opportunities
“It is a great pleasure to witness such good results from a school which is led by a black female. Also having teachers who share the same vision as the principal. I would be lying if I said I am not happy because 100% means that every learner who matriculated in 2024 got an opportunity to better their lives with varsity access or job opportunities,” said Mphahlele.
Itumeleng Bongiwe Mhlongo, one of the school's matriculants, said Malema’s visit left her feeling incredibly inspired and grateful. The 17-year-old described the donation as a remarkable gesture that demonstrated his commitment to empowering young minds.
“What struck me most was that he took time from his busy schedule to visit us, and it was surreal to see him in person, having only seen him in parliament or on the news before. As a black politician, he's an exemplary figure showing us that we, too, can make a difference. His visit reinforced the importance of representation, diversity and community leadership,” she said.
She added that her wish was for the school to strive for a 100% pass rate with 100% bachelor passes for the academic year of 2025.
Continuing with its #UmntanaEskolweni campaign, the party visited the second school, Relebogile Secondary in Carletonville, Khutsong, where they expressed deep concern over dire conditions. The school accommodates over 1,500 learners.
In 2023, a massive sinkhole swallowed parts of the school, making it unsafe. As a temporary solution, the Gauteng Department of Education relocated learners to mobile classrooms.
The party has now labelled it the worst-performing school in Gauteng, citing its dismal 57.5% pass rate in the 2024 matric examinations.
“The EFF in Gauteng was appalled by the deplorable and hazardous state of the school's premises. Shockingly, Relebogile Secondary School, which serves a large number of learners, operates with only two functional water taps, while the bathrooms lack running water. The infrastructure challenges at the school are further compounded by the geological disasters that have plagued the Khutsong area, a legacy of extensive gold mining.”
The party pledged to assist the school with essential resources, including pressure pumps to restore running water, expanded bathroom facilities, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and cleaning supplies.
The party also announced plans to submit urgent inquiries to the Gauteng Department of Education and the Department of Infrastructure Development regarding incomplete infrastructure projects.
The Star