Share

WATCH | Parents fork out for supplies as children head back to school

accreditation
Back to school, back to reality! The new school year is here and parents are rushing to get their kids ready.
Back to school, back to reality! The new school year is here and parents are rushing to get their kids ready.
Bertram Malgas

Back to school, back to reality! The new school year is upon us and parents have been rushing to try to get their children ready. Books and blazers were just some of the essential items on their lists of supplies.

Hundreds of parents lined up outside school uniform outfitters, Toppers, in Athlone to get what they needed ahead of the first day of school.

Nawaal Isaacs, who bought a new school uniform, told News24 that buying it was by far her biggest expense.

"I bought a new blazer, skirt, shirt, socks and shoes. Everything, together, cost me R1 400… and that's just the uniform," Isaacs said.

She said she spent more than R2 000 for her daughter's stationery and uniform. 

But, Isaacs, who planned ahead, knew there would be a hefty amount waiting for her.

"Every month I would put some money away, so that...I would have money for the new school year," she said. 

Another parent, Nqabisa Gantsho, who was looking for final items on her daughter's school list, said she spent R4 000 on a uniform and school supplies. 

"I budgeted since last year. I didn't spend all my money in December, so there was no pressure when I needed to get my daughter's school stuff," she said.

Gantsho advised parents to think about their children before spending all their money in the holidays. 

"As parents, we need to save and not waste it all in the December holidays so that we do not stress and suffer when school starts," she said.  

Schools across the country open on Wednesday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 474 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 678 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE