Vukuzakhe Township In Volksrust 2

Vukuzakhe Township In Volksrust 2


As early as the people began to settle in, the government built a school where Black children could learn to read. The first school to be built was Phembindlela, which accepted children from Grade 0 to higher primary. Following the need for more schools Elangwane became the second school to be built which accepted children at a higher level. Currently there are five schools, two lower primary schools, two higher primary and one high school. Although there is a relatively low literate rate, over the years Volksrust has produced hundreds of professionals who are placed all over South Africa and who are the pride of the community.

Like most Black townships between 1976 and mid 1980s, Vukuzakhe had its own share in the struggle for political liberation. As the youths from the urban areas were sent off by their parents to relatively 'apolitical' places like Volksrust, youth in these places became politicised. These youths who were coming from places like Soweto and the Vaal shared their political experiences with the youth and Vukuzakhe. What the Vukuzakhe youth had heard over the radio became a reality and something to experiment. This does not mean however, that Vukuzakhe youth were politically ignorant before the arrival of the urban youth. They were aware of what was happening the only think lacking was more information. This period was marked by a lot of confrontation between the police on one hand and the school officials on the other. Classes were boycotted continuously, students complained about high school fees and the poor management of the school by the officials. Unable to deal with the students' dissatisfaction the police were summoned. However, Volksrust is a small town that did not have a huge police force and in cases like this, extra military personnel was called from Heidelberg to calm suppress the situation. Typical of the police and military response in such cases, some young children lost their lives during the confrontation with the police, while others were injured.

Volksrust has natural attractions such as streams, mountains and birdlife.