![](\"https:\/\/news.ghanamma.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1280&operation=CROP&offset=0x87&resize=1280x720.jpg\")
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As the 2026 academic year starts on Wednesday, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for a radical change in how school uniforms are provided, urging the introduction of a ward-based cooperative model to tackle unemployment and poverty.<\/p>\n
ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the initiative would leverage the country\u2019s 13 million students in need of uniforms annually to stimulate local economies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ATM emphasises that education is a fundamental right, and affordability in schooling must be prioritised.<\/p>\n
”By promoting generic uniform designs and allowing multiple suppliers, we can empower parents to make informed choices that do not compromise their financial stability,\u201d Ntshona said.<\/p>\n
Ntshona said the current high costs associated with branded uniforms disproportionately affect families, especially those from marginalised backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n He said that the proposal aims to dismantle the oligopolistic structures that benefit only a few suppliers, instead enabling local cooperatives to produce and supply uniforms.<\/p>\n ”By facilitating local cooperatives to supply uniforms, we can stimulate economic activity in our communities, creating jobs and fostering self-sufficiency.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ntshona said a similar approach could be applied to the School Nutrition Program, which would allow communities to benefit economically while ensuring essential services are delivered to children.<\/p>\n Ntshonsa said this strategy will not only provide essential services but also ensure that economic benefits circulate within communities, alleviating poverty <\/span> and reducing unemployment in a country where youth unemployment stands at 58.5%.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a challenging economic environment characterised by high unemployment and inflation, the ATM stands firm in advocating for policies that support local sourcing and procurement from community-based businesses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ntshona also called for strict oversight of the school uniform market. While acknowledging the Competition Commission\u2019s role in regulating the sector, he said ongoing monitoring is crucial.<\/p>\n \u201cA newly developed monitoring tool in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education must be effectively implemented to uphold compliance and combat anti-competitive practices,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The party is also calling for a zero-tolerance approach toward companies and schools that engage in unfair pricing or restrictive practices.<\/p>\n Ntshona said parents should have the right to report violations, and decisive action must be taken to ensure equitable access to education for all children.<\/p>\n \u201cThe vision of the ATM is a more equitable education system that prioritises affordability, inclusivity, and adherence to South African laws.<\/p>\n ”Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in an educational environment that respects their dignity and promotes economic participation,\u201d Ntshona said.<\/p>\n hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za <\/p>\n Politics <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the 2026 academic year starts on Wednesday, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for a radical change in how school uniforms are provided, urging the introduction of a ward-based cooperative model to tackle unemployment and poverty. ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the initiative would leverage the country\u2019s 13 million students in need […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":269201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[10342,18742,7018,251,468,377,9456],"class_list":["post-269200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-politics","tag-affordable","tag-cooperatives","tag-creation","tag-job","tag-local","tag-school","tag-uniforms"],"yoast_head":"\n