By Zuko Komisa
The Online applications for the placement of Grade 1 and 8 pupils for the 2020 academic year in Gauteng will not go live today. The delay follows objections and concerns raised by the Federation of Associations of Governing Bodies of South Africa (FEDSAS), Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysunie (SAOU) as well as SGB associations.
Speaking on Breakfast With David this morning, Panyaza Lesufi says that there is a misinterpretation of how the system will work by these lobby groups.
“Some of the key issues is a misinterpretation, a misinterpretation that the language of Afrikaans is under threat. People demand that when they go online and want an Afrikaans school, an Afrikaans school must pop up. They don’t want all South African schools, they want school that specifically say that our language of instruction is Afrikaans.”

Panyaza Lusufi says the delays are to allow for consultations with the various lobby groups and also to use the time to explain the process and the intention by the governement to promote a non-racial society.
“It’s non-negotiable for our children to study together, we can’t be excited when children have a birthday party together at a certain resturant and when they have to go to a class together, you say no I only need people that speak this language.”
Also read: Supporting your child early in the school year
This is the second time this year that the process of online registration has been halted, the first being due to the election and now due to the consultaions with lobby groups. The new admissions period will be from May 20 to July 22.
Listen to the full conversation with Panyaza Lesufi here:


