Communities of two schools in Cape Town jointly raised 128,000 rand. Of this amount, 90,000 rand was directed towards maintaining the salary of a teacher at Masifumelile High School, and 38,000 rand was allocated to improving wheelchair accessibility at Capella House School.
Both campaigns were conducted through the educational crowdfunding platform GetGo Fund.
These initiatives highlight the need for practical support to retain teachers in schools and ensure student participation in school life, especially ahead of Teacher's Month in October and World Teachers' Day on October 5th.
The fundraising drive at Masifumelile High School was initiated to retain a teacher whose work extends beyond the regular curriculum. The school principal, Skale Nlabhati, previously reported in a Cape Argus statement that the school needed 90,000 rand to supplement this teacher's salary in 2026, as the state budget is insufficient to cover this position.
This teacher provides academic assistance during lessons and runs an after-school chess program. According to Nlabhati, this educator has significantly improved students' understanding of the material, boosted their self-confidence, and helped struggling students catch up on the curriculum. The chess program also provides students with a safe and structured place to be after school, which is crucial in a community facing socio-economic difficulties.
Nlabhati warned that losing this teacher would lead to larger class sizes, reduced individual student support, and a possible discontinuation of the chess program.
Students at Capella House School noted achieving the target amount of 38,000 rand through GetGo Fund to build ramps for wheelchairs and improve overall accessibility at the school. In August, Capella House School teachers attended a fundraising seminar to improve conditions for a student using a wheelchair.
The campaign aimed to raise funds for creating wider passages, a mobile ramp, and modernizing the bathroom, a goal achieved later that same month. These planned improvements will facilitate the student's movement around the school grounds and reduce reliance on temporary wooden platforms that teachers move between classrooms.
The student already acts as a DJ during Friday sessions at the school's 'Friday Jam,' and the new ramp will give them access to the stage, opening up more opportunities for participation. Donna Sefer noted that 'an accessible route to the classroom should be part of a student's normal school day.'
Sefer also emphasized that teachers are often the first to notice when a student requires extra support or when something in the school environment hinders participation. She added that supporting teachers' work means paying attention to the conditions in which they teach. In conclusion, Sefer stated that 'sustainable community investment remains necessary, and community contribution is responsible for demonstrating where the money goes and what it achieves.'