A teacher at Nkalangeni Primary School in the Hhohho Region says his life has become a nightmare due to an infestation of winged termites (umuhlwa) in his living quarters.
Sandile Gama, 36, revealed that the problem has become so severe that he often sleeps in his car to avoid the insects.
Gama, who has been teaching at the rural school since April 2022, said the infestation worsens during rain and thunderstorms, when the termites, locally known as tinhlwa, multiply rapidly.
The teacher lives in a bedsitter, which consists of a sleeping area, kitchen and dining space, built by community members to address the shortage of teacher accommodation. He explained that the structure, which is old and dilapidated with worn-out walls and a weak roof, initially presented only minor insect problems. In the first few months after he moved in, he could manage the termites by spraying insecticides and sweeping them away.
However, Gama said the situation escalated in 2023, particularly during storms, when the winged termites spread aggressively.
He described how he began moving from his house to sleep in his car to avoid the insects.
The teacher reported the issue to his headteacher, who provided insecticide, but Gama said these attempts were largely ineffective. He added that advice from the school’s support staff to plant a natural insect repellent only made the problem worse. According to him, no measure they tried offered a lasting solution.
Although the school has teachers’ quarters currently being renovated by Microprojects following recent storms, Gama’s house was not included because it was a privately-built structure. He highlighted that the roof is in such poor condition that he struggles to sleep during windy nights, fearing it may collapse. This, he said, affects his ability to be alert and energetic for his pupils in class the following morning.
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Gama appealed to the ministry of education and training, as well as companies and private individuals, to assist by constructing a proper house. He said having suitable accommodation would allow him to arrive at school fully prepared and perform at his best for his pupils.
The school’s Headteacher Bhekithemba Magagula confirmed the situation at Gama’s house, describing teachers’ housing as a long-standing and thorny issue. He explained that the problem was not unique to Gama, revealing that four other teachers at the school were affected by winged termites.
Termites
Magagula said the school had attempted to address the infestation by purchasing chemicals, but the measures proved ineffective. He added that the houses were too old and had become breeding grounds for the termites.
The headteacher highlighted the urgent need for additional housing, including four houses for teachers and one for himself, as he travels a long distance to school daily.
“We are in need of two semi-detached houses for teachers and one for the head teacher. Lesimo sibi, the teachers cannot even rent houses because the school is in a rural area, and there are no proper houses available,” he said.
He reiterated that renting was impossible, forcing teachers to live under harsh conditions. Magagula noted that the issue had not yet been formally reported to the regional education office.
He appealed to individuals, businesses, and companies to support the school by helping to build the required structures.
Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi said the ministry had not been informed of the situation. She explained that the teacher should report the matter to the regional education office, which would then escalate it to the ministry.
Meanwhile, Hhohho Regional Education Officer Dr Nathie Nkambule could not be sought for comment at the time of compiling the report.
SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati expressed concern over the shortage of teachers’ housing in schools, noting that the limited accommodation available is often old and dilapidated. He explained that while government previously ran a programme to maintain civil servants’ houses, the failure to continue procuring materials for this purpose has resulted in the steady deterioration of teachers’ residences.
Vilakati said the construction of teachers’ houses no longer appears to be government’s priority, whereas other civil servants, such as nurses, police officers, and correctional staff, are given preference. He suggested that schools should develop their own housing policies, which should be transparent and clearly communicated to prevent disputes during allocation.
Vilakati also cautioned against charging teachers exorbitant rent for staff housing, pointing out that many teachers are already underpaid.
In addition, he called on government to review and improve teachers’ housing allowances, describing the current provisions as unreasonably low and inadequate.
