By Kefiloe Kajane
The Maseru Bridge was a hive of activity on Monday morning as Basotho learners attending South African schools converged to cross the border following the resumption of classes.
This is after reopening of schools were postponed from June 1 to June 8 to ensure availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) against COVID-19.
The students expressed their preparedness to resume classes and vowed to do everything possible to stay safe and protected from COVID-19.
“Even though we are scared of the coronavirus, life has to go on and we promise to take all necessary precautions against the disease,” Phoka Litsíba a grade 12 student at Christian Dewet High School in Dewetsdorp said.
Another student, Fumane Monyane of Ladybrand Academy said learning online has not been productive, and expressed her satisfaction that at least grades 7 and 12 have been given an opportunity to go ahead with their studies.
Meanwhile, the office of port manager at Maseru Bridge assured NECC they will be working with their South African counterparts to ensure protection and wellbeing of students at the borders.
Many students crossing to South Africa today were those going to boarding schools; some have made arrangements with their schools to come back to Lesotho in December to avoid commuting on a regular basis.