SADTU march Durban
Xolani Dlamini|Published
SADTU members are marching from King DinuZulu Park to Durban City Hall, demanding improved school funding and the filling of vacant teaching, administrative and support posts.
Over a hundred union members have arrived at King Dinuzulu Park.
The march is expected to move through Dr Pixley kaSeme Street (formerly West Street).
The march comes as Grade 12 pupils sit for their final exam.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the central business district (CBD) as THE demonstrators move toward the City Hall.
SADTU KZN Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Caluza told sundaytribune.co.za that the union's core grievances extend to several persistent educational and administrative issues.
Although the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZN DoE) recently
re-considered and reversed its proposed plan to cut roughly 4,000 teaching posts, Caluza said the provincial demonstration would go ahead as planned.
"We are protesting the budget allocations and financial cuts that are impacting school functionality. We are demanding that crucial vacant administrative and support staff positions at public schools be filled immediately.”
Caluza said they wanted the KZN DoE to address the systemic delays in funding distributions and day to day operational support for local schools.
She expressed concerns that thousands of teaching positions could still be lost, despite persistent teacher shortages at schools across the province.
Caluza said schools were struggling to fill vacancies because appointments, including those of substitute teachers, required approval from the provincial treasury and the office of the premier.
“These are all challenges that could be easily avoided as we all know there are many unemployed teachers who can fill these vacancies,” Caluza said.
She raised concerns about the financial readiness of schools ahead of the 2027 academic year, saying some schools had yet to receive their final funding allocation for the year.
"This may result in schools not being ready for opening in 2027."
The SAPS and eThekwini Metro Police are monitoring the march.
Commuters are advised to expect delays and plan alternative travel routes for the remainder of the day.