Safety restored, expansion planned after Old Martin School demolition
Laerskool Goudrand has applied to expand its pre-primary school following the demolition of the Old Martin School building.
The once-derelict old Martin School building in Boksburg North has not only been reduced to rubble, it has paved the way for increased safety and new educational opportunities for Laerskool Goudrand.
Following years of concern from residents and the school, the long-abandoned structure on the corner of Fifth Street and Eighth Avenue was finally demolished on April 3.
The Boksburg Advertiser revisited the site on October 15 and found the area now securely fenced off with palisading.
According to Shelton Botes, deputy principal of Laerskool Goudrand, the school has applied to the Gauteng Department of Education to expand its Grade R classes on the piece of land where the old Martin School stood.
“We have about 120 learners and want to expand because our classes are full. As soon as we get the go-ahead from the department we’ll start drawing up the plans. Since the demolition, issues like vandalism and theft have been resolved. The site no longer poses a threat,” said Botes.
For residents, the demolition marked the end of a long-standing struggle.
Paul de Oliveira, who has lived near the site for over 30 years, said the change has been dramatic.
“Crime has gone down a lot since the building was removed. Everyone was at their wits’ end. We even signed petitions. We feel a lot safer now,” said De Oliveira.
The old Martin School building had been a serious safety and health concern for years. Situated adjacent to Laerskool Goudrand’s pre-primary classrooms, it became a hotspot for drug activity, prostitution, illegal occupation, and vandalism.
Earlier this year, frustrated residents organised a community clean-up around the site to address mounting safety concerns.
Goudrand principal Gert Botes previously warned the Department of Education that the structure posed a risk of collapse onto nearby classrooms and urged authorities to intervene.
With the area now cleared and secured, the focus shifts to the potential expansion of early childhood education in the neighbourhood, a positive step for the community after years of frustration and fear.
The Advertiser is still awaiting comment from the relevant departments.
