Youth Day Reflections: Equal Education expresses deep shock and sadness at the gunning down of four school children in four weeks in Samora Machel, Cape Town.
Equal Education (EE) mourns the untimely death of four learners who were tragically murdered within four weeks in Samora Michel, in Cape Town. That this tragedy unfolded so close to Youth Day is a painful reminder of how unsafe our communities remain, and how the Western Cape government refuses to act with the political urgency that our communities need.
Between 22 May and 11 June 2025, high school learners Indiphile Kebevana (18), Simamkele Hamane (18), Ntokozo Ngcobo (17), and now Aznani Sixubane (15) were victims of separate fatal shootings on their way to and from school. The latest victim, Aznani Sixubane, was tragically murdered in the company of her friends, less than one kilometre from school.
For over 10 years, EE learner members have campaigned for systemic safety interventions that address learners’ safety both within the school premises and on their journey to and from school. In 2013, EE parent members started the Walking Bus initiative, which saw parents volunteer to safely accompany children to and from school every morning and afternoon. The Western Cape government responded that this campaign held vague allegations- the violent deaths of these learners starkly show the truth of unsafe schools in the Western Cape.
EE’s provincial iSafety Ngoku! Campaign research emphasises that schools and learners are not exempt from the safety-related dynamics at work in their communities, particularly in Cape Town, which is one of the most violent cities in the world. In 2019, over 2000 Equalisers (high school learner members of EE) marched to the provincial legislature demanding that Premier Alan Winde, the provincial MEC for Education, the Western Cape Parliament, and the South African Police Service take urgent action to address learners’ safety concerns.
Nontsikelelo Dlulani, a former Equaliser and EE’s current Head of Western Cape Organising, says:
“We are devastated by the news of so many young kids being killed in such horrific circumstances. Words cannot describe the deep sense of loss that the families, friends of these learners are feeling after losing four young souls in such a short space of time. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, teachers and local school community of Samora. We call on Premier Alan Winde to now urgently accelerate action to improve school and community safety, particularly in the vulnerable townships of Cape Town and surrounding areas. As Equal Education, we are ready to partner with school communities and the provincial government towards a common goal of improving school safety to ensure equal, quality education for all children, particularly for our poorest communities.”
EE has sent a delegation of its members to meet with each family and offer our support during this time. As part of our iSafety Ngoku! Campaign, we will continue to work with communities and schools across the Western Cape to ensure safety and dignity in education.
What does this mean for our members: Being young in South Africa today is not what was struggled for by the youth of 1976. We ARE NOT CELEBRATING YOUTH DAY, instead we face systemic violence, poor political will from our leaders and the indignity of living in the most unequal country in the world. The DA government must act now!
For comment:
Nonstikelelo Dlulani
Head: Equal Education Western Cape Organising
Ayanda Sishi-Wigzell
Communications Manager: Equal Education
Email: ayanda@equaleducation.org.za
Cellphone: 076 879 3017
ENDS
