MM Mateza Primary School Crowned 2026 Scholar Patrol Champions

The champions of the Scholar Patrol competition is MM Mateza Primary School. Photo Credit: Supplied by Debra Sauer

Empowered with teamwork and road safety skills, the incredible learners of MM Mateza Primary School proved real traffic safety superstars when they brought home the 2026 George Scholar Patrol championship!

George, South Africa (05 November 2026) – When learners are empowered with road safety knowledge, practical skills and discipline, they become more than just safe pedestrians – they step up as confident leaders who look out for one another and help create a secure, caring school environment.

This is exactly what has been unfolding at MM Mateza Primary School in Thembalethu, where learners have been participating in the Scholar Patrol Programme, which teaches vital road safety skills, while highlighting the important role young patrol members play in protecting fellow learners and promoting child pedestrian safety.

Not only have these learners impressed staff and educators with their initiative, discipline, and teamwork, but they were also recently crowned champions of the 2026 George Scholar Patrol Competition following a closely contested event held at the George Junior Traffic Training and Road Safety Centre in York Street on Friday, 30 October 2026.

Hosted annually by the George Municipality in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Mobility, the competition gave learners a platform to showcase everything they had learned through the programme, delivering an impressive showcase for the judges.

Ismail Patel, Senior Manager for Safety and Mobility Directorate at George Municipality, officially opened the competition and welcomed the participating schools and officials. He highlighted that the event was about more than a contest of skill and knowledge, but also a celebration of leadership, teamwork, discipline and service.

He commended the learners for taking an active role in promoting safer roads and protecting their fellow scholars, emphasising that road safety is everyone’s responsibility. He encouraged participants to carry the road safety lessons beyond Road Safety Month and make them part of their everyday lives.

One of the participating schools does patrolling for the judges

Elam Nukani, Deputy Director of Community Outreach at the Western Cape Department of Mobility, encouraged learners to remain committed to their activities and not become discouraged by setbacks. He reminded them that every experience contributes to future opportunities and that their efforts to educate fellow learners about road safety make a meaningful difference.

Noxolo Luwaca from Road Safety Management, who provided an overview of the project, encouraged learners to enjoy the competition and recognise one another’s efforts, regardless of the results.

Participating schools included MM Mateza, Parkdene, Conville, Hoekwil, New Dawn Park, Mzoxolo and Life Academy Primary Schools. The Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) also supported the event.

MM Mateza Primary School secured first place to become the 2026 champions, while Parkdene Primary School finished second and Mzoxolo Primary School, Lawaaikamp took third place.

The competition produced an exciting finish when Parkdene, Mzoxolo and New Dawn Park Primary Schools were tied on 86 points. A further round of inspection was required to determine the final second and third positions. MM Mateza Primary School had already secured a clear lead to claim the championship title.

Edwin Felix from George Traffic, responsible for education and training, congratulated MM Mateza Primary School on its achievement and commended all participating schools, learners, educators, judges and officials for their commitment and contribution to road safety.