Excitement filled the air as pupils and their parents walked through the gates of Cosmo City Primary School in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Pupils in inland provinces returned to school on Wednesday for the start of the 2023 academic year.

While some had big smiles, others clung to their parents, weeping softly as they approached the gates.

"My daughter is very excited to come to school. She has been talking about it all week," Marlyne Lifuwa said.

Lifuwa said the registration process at the school was smooth sailing.

"I came here one day, and after a month, they responded and even called me to fetch the acceptance letter. I am very happy that my daughter is going to school because now I can see she is growing up," Lifuwa said.

Mduduzi Ntshangase told News24 he was hoping for the best as Wednesday was his daughter's first day at school.

"We hope that everything will be fine, and as the Ntshangases, we are looking forward to it. As a father, I am feeling very great because now she is working toward her brighter future," he added.

While many parents were able to find placements at schools for their children, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said others faced difficulties.

"It is a problem, and I have been speaking to the MEC [of education]," Motshekga said.

Motshekga, who was conducting oversight visits at Cosmo City schools on Wednesday, said about 1 500 Gauteng pupils still did not have placements at schools.

"They (schools) are using churches where we don't have enough space, and sometimes it is really circumstances which are beyond our control. We have committed ourselves that in 10 days' time, we must have more space.

"Some parents find themselves having to move around because of jobs, but we normally give ourselves 10 days to mop up," she said.