28 October 2026
James Nguza Junior Secondary School in Mgagasi, Butterworth, was built by the community from zinc sheets as a temporary measure in 2009. Photos: Johnnie Issac.
Children at James Nguza Junior Secondary School in Mgagasi, Butterworth, learn in zinc shacks that are freezing in winter and boiling hot in summer. The 109 learners are in grades R to 9. Classrooms are crowded and one can clearly overhear what is happening in the neighbouring classrooms. On rainy days teaching stops as the roof has holes, patched with cardboard, and leaks. Meals are cooked at a house in the community and brought to the school.
The school does not comply with the Department of Basic Education’s minimum norms and standards for public school infrastructure.
According to a report in the Daily Dispatch, the school was built after a “a child was killed and decapitated in a forest … in 2008”. Learners had to cross the forested area to get to the previous school’s location.
“The community decided to move the school,” said Gawula.
Learners were initially taught in homes in the community.
“During that period, we were extracting the materials that we could use from the old school to build the current shack structure,” said Gawalu.
“It was supposed to be a temporary measure. The Eastern Cape Department of Education was going to provide temporary prefabricated classrooms.”
Gawula said that despite repeated assurances, visits to the education department, and inspections by its Amathole East District infrastructure team, no prefab classrooms have been delivered during the past 17 years.
Community member Mandisi Ndandani said enrolment numbers are decreasing every year. “Some parents are fed up with waiting and are taking their children to other schools. This worries us as the community because once there are too few learners, the government closes the school without an alternative,” said Ndandani.
The community has identified land for a new school.
Malibongwe Mtima, provincial education department spokesperson, said enrolment at James Nguza Junior is below the national norm of 135 for a primary school, and Mzantsi Primary will be merged with it. Pupils from Mzantsi Primary will come to James Nguza, which will receive prefabs in the 2027/28 financial year.
Mtima said scholar transport will be provided after the merger.
Butterworth learners study in an overcrowded classroom that is boiling in summer and freezing in winter.
James Nguza Junior Secondary School principal Nofamily Nonxuba in the school’s tiny staff room.