- Banele Msibi, 8, and Lukhanyo Msibi, 17, walked home after scholar transport drivers went on strike over unpaid November wages.
- The Gauteng Education Department paid December and will pay outstanding November invoices by week’s end, education MEC Matome Chiloane said.
Banele Msibi, 8, and Lukhanyo Msibi, 17, rely on the government scholar transport bus to travel to school because it is cheaper than taxis.
They were shocked when the bus did not arrive at their pick-up point.
They walked back home after learning from other learners that the scholar transport drivers were on strike.
The drivers downed tools almost two weeks ago after the Gauteng Education Department failed to pay them for November and December 2025.
Thousands of learners across Gauteng have been affected.
Lukhanyo is a matric learner. She said she has fallen behind with her curriculum.
“My friends are the ones who are helping me with school notes and assignments. My parents can’t afford to give us taxi money because they work at a sweets factory,” Lukhanyo said.
Her father Alfred Msibi said factory workers are paid per shift. He said if they miss a day of work it affects their salaries.
The parents chose their jobs and left their children unsupervised during the day.
Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said the department had a constructive engagement with the service providers.
He said the department paid for December and only November is outstanding.
“We can confirm that outstanding invoices for November 2025 will be processed and paid by the end of the current week. Service providers will transport children to school on Monday,” Chiloane said.
The department has contracted about 250 scholar transport service providers to transport at least 238,000 learners to schools in the province.
They use about 3,600 buses daily.
Banele and Lukhanyo are hopeful they will return to school on Monday despite the days they have lost.
Pictured above: Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
