Pretoria, 21 January 2026: The Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe (MP), will on Thursday, 22 January 2026, undertake a Back-to-School Campaign visit to Emakhazeni Boarding School in Mpumalanga, as part of government’s continued commitment to child protection, learner wellbeing, and education support at the start of the 2026 academic year.
The visit forms part of the national Back-to-School Campaign, aimed at promoting safe learning environments, encouraging learner attendance and retention, and strengthening collaboration between government, schools, parents, and communities in safeguarding the rights and dignity of children. During the school visit, Minister Tolashe will engage with school management, the School Governing Body (SGB), educators, and learners, including the Matric Class of 2026, to assess the state of readiness of the school, reflect on learner support needs, and reinforce government’s message that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
In addition to the school engagement, the Minister will also visit flood-affected areas in Emakhazeni, including Kaalbooi Farm, Ward 5, Machadodorp, following recent heavy rains, to assess the extent of the damage and the impact on affected families. The purpose of the visit is to activate government’s social support response in the area. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will be mobilised to provide Social Relief of Distress (SRD) to affected community members, while the Department of Social Development (DSD) will activate psychosocial support services for families and individuals impacted by the floods.
The Minister will be accompanied by the Emakhazeni Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr N.A. Mashele, council leadership, local councillors, officials from the Department of Social Development, the Department of Education, SASSA, as well as traditional and community leadership. The Back-to-School Campaign is implemented under the Child Protection 365 Programme, reinforcing government’s year-round commitment to protecting children in all spaces, including schools, homes, and communities.
Media are invited to attend and cover the visit as follows:
Date: Thursday, 22 January 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Venue: Emakhazeni Boarding School, Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to the Acting Head of Communication, Ms Sandy Godlwana on 082 678 5634 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
