Backlash over KZN school’s ‘voluntary’ cleaner, security guard post

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has come under fire from the public over a circular calling for schools in the province to appoint “volunteer” cleaners and security guards. This follows the backlash to a vacancy posted on a provincial school’s Facebook account.

KZN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S NOTICE ON ‘VOUNTEER’ POSTS

Earlier this month, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education posted a circular on its social media platforms instructing schools in the province to extend their programme for volunteer cleans and safety officers (or security guards).

The circular stated that the department is “committed to providing a safe and healthy environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning”

It called on schools to extend their volunteer programme until March 2027.

The volunteers would be paid a “stipend” of R2860 (R130 per day) for 22 days worked in a month.

The posts disabled the public from commenting.

The volunteer vacancies fall under KZN’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), targeting youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

Volunteers are responsible for cleaning and maintenance, as well as health and safety work.

SCHOOL GETS BACKLASH OVER VOLUNTEER VACANCY POST

On TikTok, one particular KZN school -Nottingham Road Primary School –  has been put on blast over its vacancy calling for a volunteer cleaner and safety officer.

The school posted the vacancies on its Facebook account, which has since been deleted.

According to the notice, the applicant for the cleaner position must hold a Grade 10 certificate and have basic knowledge of cleaning and gardening equipment. Duties include cleaning toilets, emptying trash bins and maintaining school grounds. 

Safety officers required a Matric certificate and would perform all the tasks of a security guard, including attending school safety meetings and assisting with “bus duty”

TikToker @ridwaanking said: “These people are looking for the cheap way out. R130 a day to clean a whole school! Who is going to do that? Someone who is desperate, who has no choice, is going to accept it.

He added, “These people are looking for a security guard. So instead of paying a company R17 000, because that is the going rate for a registered security guard, they are paying R2 800 a month for performing security functions duties.

In the comments section, TikTokers criticised both the school and the KZN DOE for “exploitation”

Lee: “Yes, the department may set the budget, but each school has a governing body. So why can’t even a small amount be budgeted for that cleaner to at least make minimum wage?”

Mkhize: “It’s not even a salary, it’s a stipend. That’s like being an intern cleaner”

Queenramdeen: “This has been going on for years, and his school is just one of many”.

The South African contacted by the KZN Department of Education and the Nottingham Road Primary School for comment. None was received at the time of publishing.

@ridwaanking Disgusting behaviour. #Nottinghamroad #southafricantiktok #Trending #FyF #Foryoupage ♬ original sound – ???? MR KING ????

MINIMUM WAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA

In February, the Department of Employment and Labour officially confirmed the 2026 national minimum wage increase at 5%, or an additional R1.44 per hour.

All paid employees – including domestic workers and contracted cleaners – will now earn R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, up from last year’s R28.79.

This equates to a monthly rate of R5,894.40 (based on an average month of 4.3 weeks, or 195 hours worked), as compared to last year’s R4,951.88.

The increase – which applies to both casual and permanent employment – came into effect on 1 March 2026.

The rate, however, differs for those on the government’s EPWP Programme, like those mentioned in school volunteer posts above. Applicants in this programme would now receive R16.62 per hour. Depending on the hours worked, this could amount to R2800 or more.