Kloof Rotarians hand over new workshops
The new building comprises a Home Economics workshop equipped with cooking facilities and a civil/mechanical workshop that is used to prepare learners for artisan training.
GEORGE Shau’s vision to bring in-depth and relevant learning material to the community of Inchanga valley has materialised.
The Inchanga Primary School alumni said he noticed the learners in the area were not able to travel to more affluent areas to gain technical education.
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This sparked an idea and, by putting up R30 000 of his own money and in 2017, secured the land for what would soon become the Obed Mlaba Technical High School.
Before the school was built, Shai was able to convince the Department of Education to supply six mobile classrooms. Even with this contribution, the much-needed technical high school could not open its doors as there were no ablution facilities or money to build them.
“I approached Rotary Club of Kloof, which immediately stepped in and built toilet blocks, enabling the school to get started,” said Shau.
Throughout the years, the partnership has continued and the Rotary club has completed a number of building projects at the school as well as supplying necessary equipment to ensure classes run smoothly.
The local Rotarians worked closely with Lions Raw, a UK-based organisation, which helped in a big way through practical assistance and fundraising efforts.
Thursday, December 2 saw the official handover of the new workshop facilities at Obed Mlaba Technical High School in the Inchanga valley.
The new building comprises a home economics workshop that is equipped with cooking facilities and a civil/mechanical workshop that will be used to prepare learners for artisan training.
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Kloof Rotarian, Tony Robson said construction started in February 2020 and was finally completed during early November this year, when the electricity was connected.
The project team was led by Kloof Rotarians Don Perks, an architect, and Peter Scorgie, an accountant.
“They were ably assisted by other Rotarians and by Clive Powell from Lions Raw, a group from the UK that came to SA in 2010 for the soccer world cup and got involved in several local projects to help poor communities,” he said.
Robson commended Shau for his selflessness and care for his community.
“I would also like to thank the former principal, Selvie Naicker, who gave invaluable input and for bringing the benefits of her extensive experience in education to the project, ensuring that whatever was done would work for the learners.”
Funding for the project came from a major Kloof Rotary donor, who has since moved to the Western Cape, and from Lions Raw.
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