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Tempers flare as principal bars Radebe from entering East London school

Minister in the Presidency and ANC national executive committee member Jeff Radebe seen here trying to negotiate with a Lumanyano Primary School teacher Wendy Kuse to grant an ANC delegation entry inside the East London school premises. Picture: SINO M AJANGAZA
Minister in the Presidency and ANC national executive committee member Jeff Radebe seen here trying to negotiate with a Lumanyano Primary School teacher Wendy Kuse to grant an ANC delegation entry inside the East London school premises. Picture: SINO M AJANGAZA

A bossy East London school governing body member came to Jeff Radebe’s rescue on Thursday after the school’s head barred the Minister in the Presidency and his entourage from entering the premises.

Lumanyano Primary’s acting school principal Wendy Kuse told Radebe’s entourage that they would not be allowed to campaign within the school grounds as the school was apolitical.

The drama unfolded in Phumlani village near East London airport. Radebe was one of many senior ANC leaders who took the party’s campaign trail to the Buffalo City Metro where the party is trying to lure votes away from independent candidates from within its ranks.

Lumanyano Primary School children were enjoying their lunch break when Radebe’s entourage visited the area.

Spotting the convoy of German sedans‚ the pupils screamed “ANC‚ ANC” from behind the locked gates.

About 30 minutes later on his return from a door-to-door campaign in the area‚ Radebe decided to visit the school.

 But Kuse‚ who was at the school’s main gate told the entourage‚ “no political party is allowed“.

She then addressed them from behind locked gates: “When we allowed the DA to come in here in 2014‚ the community questioned why we had allowed a political party into the school premises. We could not explain why. I am saying the ANC won’t come in as well in the same spirit.”

ANC regional executive committee (REC) member Thobeka Mati warned Kuse that if she did not open the gates‚ “this school will never get anything from an ANC-led government going forward“. But Kuse stood firm.

The stand-off ended when school governing body chairwoman Nontombi Damoyi shouted‚ “I am this school’s SGB chairwoman. Open these gates“.

 Kuse then called the school caretaker to open up.

Immediately thereafter‚ hundreds of excited pupils stormed out of class and joined the entourage‚ shouting‚ “ANC‚ ANC! Down with the DA“.

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