Tensions Explode at Durban's Addington Primary School as Parents Clash Over Foreign Learner Enrolments

Heated confrontations broke out at Addington Primary School in Durban on Wednesday as South African parents and foreign nationals clashed over the enrolment of learners at the institution.

At the heart of the dispute was the allegation that foreign pupils were being given preference for places at the school over South African children.

Tensions escalated when local parents, at the end of the school day, attempted to conduct a headcount of foreign learners attending the school, as they exited the school’s premises.

This led to incidents of stone-throwing and physical confrontations between some members of the large group of protesters that gathered outside the school, and parents who had arrived to collect their children.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and metro police intervened, and a water cannon and teargas were used to prevent the clashes from escalating further.

The friction first surfaced last week, at the start of the 2026 school year, following revelations that 66 local learners had not been enrolled at the school due to a lack of space. This sparked widespread discontent, particularly among local parents.

Activist groups, including the civic organisation March and March, voiced strong concerns that the school was allegedly favouring foreign learners and insisted that the needs of local families should be prioritised.

Among the claims circulating was that approximately 90% of pupils at the school had parents who were foreign nationals.

Residents in the area have alleged that at least 60 South African children—many from families displaced by the floods of 2022—applied for enrolment but were turned away due to a lack of available space.

However, the Department of Education’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, refuted these claims, and stated that the alleged 66 learners without placements were, in fact, on formal waiting lists for transfers to other schools.

He explained that while addressing waiting lists remained a priority for the department, a review found that many learners had chosen to remain at their previous schools to avoid disruption during critical stages of their education.

“The Department rejects claims that foreign learners are being prioritised over South Africans. The majority of learners at the school are South African,” Mahlambi said.

He further clarified that the department had engaged with parents of learners whose transfer processes had been problematic and confirmed that discussions were ongoing to resolve outstanding transport issues affecting 15 learners still requiring assistance.

Mahlambi expressed optimism that a vehicle would be secured by the end of the day on Wednesday to facilitate transportation for the affected children.

Despite the department’s assurances, tensions remained high.

Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, expressed frustration at being barred from attending a meeting at the school—a move she described as a violation of her democratic rights.

“It is our democratic right to ensure space for South African learners at Addington.”  She also said that only five pupils had been successfully enrolled despite her organisation’s efforts.

Parents also shared personal accounts of their enrolment challenges. Ntombenhle Flynn said the registration paperwork for her son had mysteriously disappeared, while applications submitted afterwards appeared to have been processed more swiftly.

“We are now waiting for confirmation of my son’s placement. I hope that my son gets placed here at Addington; it is within walking distance of my home in Ward 26, which would eliminate transport costs,” she said.

Another parent, Masabata Rina, who eventually secured a place for her child at Addington, described her own struggle to gain admission, and cited inconsistent communication from the school regarding enrolment as a major frustration.

DAILY NEWS