The pitiful look on those children's faces is heartbreaking. I have to ask: Why is this government so reticent in providing one of the most fundamental rights to communities that are impoverished? [Why does it] seem almost powerless to act expeditiously? This is a travesty and an utter disgrace to our democracy.

The Freedom Charter, to which the [government is] only too happy to refer, states that "the doors of learning shall be open to all".

What irony. The doors at Mkanzini Junior Secondary School are open for nothing.

What an indictment of our hard-earned freedom that, 18 years after democratic rule, we still have children without even the bare necessities for a chance in life. And the paradox is that they starve in the midst of plenty.

Coming from a background that taught me that education is fundamentally our most powerful tool against all odds, I am furious to read these articles.

These children represent the future for which we fought so hard. Are we going to desert them and create more lost generations?

The responsibility is on all concerned citizens to demand that these children and education in general are prioritised urgently.

I applaud reporter Nashira Davids for bringing this horrendous state of affairs to our attention.