Photo: Representatives from the Faculty of Education with the Chief of the !Xun and the Khwe at the !Xunkhwesa Combined School in Platfontein. Front row from left to right are: Ms M Newman, Ms M Mangumbu Chief A Sabao (!Xun leader), Chief J Matamu (Khwe leader), Prof B Diale, and Ms N Mbangu. Backrow from left to right is Dr K Teise, Prof D Hlalele and Dr T Mpisi
Platfontein
Recently, Sol Plaatje University’s Faculty of Education visited the !Xun and Khwe San communities in Platfontein, just outside Kimberley. The delegation, led by Dean Prof Boitumelo Diale alongside Prof Dipane Hlalele, Dr Tony Mpisi, and Dr Kevin Teise, met with local chiefs and community leaders to strengthen relationships, introduce the Faculty’s work, and explore opportunities for collaboration. This visit reflects the Faculty’s broader commitment to carrying communities forward, also demonstrated through the launch of the faculty’s new Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education and Research (CARIER).
Community leaders highlighted pressing issues such as poverty, youth unemployment, and teenage pregnancy. Early Childhood Development (ECD) emerged as a priority, with the new Platfontein ECD centre needing trained practitioners to serve local children. The Faculty has committed to developing an action plan with stakeholders to deliver tangible interventions that uplift the community.
This initiative complements the Faculty’s broader commitment to rural education, demonstrated through the launch of the Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education. Together, these initiatives affirm SPU’s role in carrying communities forward through education and research.
The delegation met with Chief Antonio Sabao of the !Xun and Chief John Matamu of the Khwe at !Xunkhwesa Combined School, where they were warmly welcomed by Principal Ms Mumtaaz Newman. Discussions focused on building relationships, introducing the Faculty’s work and identifying the communities’ educational needs.
Chiefs highlighted urgent challenges, including poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse and teenage pregnancies. Both leaders emphasised the transformative role education can play in creating a better future for their people.
Key opportunities for collaboration were identified, including Adult Basic Education and Training, partnerships with the local Community College, teacher support for third-language instruction, and joint work with the Northern Cape Department of Education. Early Childhood Development (ECD) emerged as a top priority, particularly training for practitioners at the newly built ECD centre, which remains unused due to. gaps.
The faculty will now develop an action plan in consultation with the chiefs, community members, and relevant stakeholders. The aim is to deliver tangible interventions that will improve access to education and uplift the community.
The visit concluded with a tour of the ECD centre and a commitment to return. The faculty express gratitude to both chiefs, their personal assistants, and Ms Newman for facilitating the meeting and supporting translation into Afrikaans, !Xuntali, and Khwedam.
This article is also available in Afrikaans, Kwutali, and Khwedam. Source-SPU
