“I don’t know why the teachers didn’t give us stationery lists last year because now we have spent all our money on food, clothes and other unnecessary things,” says local high school pupil Coceka Menzi.}
“I don’t know why the teachers didn’t give us stationery lists last year because now we have spent all our money on food, clothes and other unnecessary things,” says local high school pupil Coceka Menzi.}
Some learners say they are battling to make ends meet as they prepare to kick off another academic year, while local retailers are reporting an increase in uniform and stationery sales.
Store managers say they are expecting the rush to intensify in the next few days.However, some parents say they have used the holidays to prepare for the back to school rush.
Nondumiso Mazwi, whose child is in Grade 10, says she started buying stationery and uniforms for her child last year. "I am buying whatever I can in anticipation of the rise in book and stationery prices," she said.
“I like saving and buying in little amounts rather than doing it all at once which can be costly," added Mazwi.
Lwando Mazwi, who is starting Grade 10 at a new school this year said, “I have mixed feelings about going to the new school.
I’m excited that I’ll be in high school but it’s sad that I have to leave my old friends.” Retailers have also begun their back to school sales and UPB booksellers and stationery shop owner, Irene Ellis says that they are doing their best to cater to learners’ needs.
"We visit schools to find out what weneed to stock for the customers so that there wont be a backlog. We have been getting more school orders and customers coming in and we are also getting a lot of orders from rural schools which is very inspiring.”
