Starseed Community School in Muizenberg faces eviction again, pleads for land to teach

John Maytham (standing in for CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit) chats to teacher and member of the Focus Group school leadership team at Starseed Community School, Phumza Tshem.

Listen below:

The Starseed Community School in Muizenberg, a grassroots education initiative serving children from early childhood to Grade 7, is once again facing eviction from its temporary premises due to zoning issues. 

Having recently relocated after being forced out of their previous location on Cromer Road, the school has now been served another notice to vacate.

"Neighbours were complaining because of the noise and also because it was private property, not built for a school. We just moved about two weeks ago to a new private property again, and unfortunately, we have been served again with a notice of eviction because of the same reasons." 

- Phumza Tshem, Starseed Community School

"It's absolutely valid. When you buy a home, you want a quiet space, you don't expect one day to wake up with children as your neighbour... and we understand how our neighbours feel, but we are really asking for their patience right now." 

- Phumza Tshem, Starseed Community School

The problem stems from the fact that the buildings they’ve occupied aren’t zoned for education - a requirement the Western Cape Education Department insists on before granting registration. 

But without that registration, the school can’t access government support or assistance to secure properly zoned property. 

"We hope the local government will hear our plea, or a private funder is going to come through to buy us land or a building." 

- Phumza Tshem, Starseed Community School

"We would like to have a zoned building for our school, which has always been our dream and our plan." 

- Phumza Tshem, Starseed Community School

It’s a classic catch-22 situation, and the children are caught in the middle.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.