Bhekimfundvo recieved new classroom
The parents were not spectators but took responsibility in the upbringing and education of their children.
Being exposed to harsh weather conditions in dilapidated stick-and-mud classrooms will now be something of the past for the learners and teachers of Bhekimfundvo Primary School in Block 6, Swallow’s Nest Village.
The school received a facelift comprising two blocks of well-furnished and electrified timber-frame classrooms, a Jojo tank and a computer from the cooperative work displayed by the South African Forestry Company Limited (Safcol), Komatiland Forests, Transnet, Eskom, Denel and the Department of Public Enterprise in improving the lives of this community. The overall project was worth over R1, 2 million.
Hundreds of community members, learners, the mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, councillors, the MEC of education Ms Regina Mhaule and a member of parliament ululated in joy as the classrooms and equipments were handed over on Saturday October 5.
Learners recited poems with phrases like lena yimisebenti netitselo yelubanjiswano, while expressing their gratitude.
“While the parents were waiting for the Department of Education to respond to their plea, they folded up their sleeves and from their own pockets, built structures for their children to be educated. After which they formed a joint community forum which approached Safcol for their request,” said Ms Nomkhita Mona, Safcol’s CEO. She mentioned that her company was happy to have contributed.
“These timber-frame structures are safe and strong. They can last up to 100 years and are environmentally friendly and sustainable. They are warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. We have built such structures before, this is not an experiment,” she said.
It was heard that the company started with the project in 2011 and invited the deputy minister of public enterprise, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe to the see the classes earlier this year. Magwanishe in turn called Eskom, Transnet and Denel to come on board to install electricity and furnish the classrooms.
Eskom’s representative, Ms Lusanda Jiye told the attendees that they responded positively to Magwanishe’s call, she urged the learners to take their schoolwork seriously and consider each challenge as a stepping stone.
“Only education will set us free from the bondage of poverty and other challenges. Our plea to the learners and the community is to take a good care of this building and the whole donations. Don’t voice your anger in burning structures like this, which are investments in our children’s future,” said Transnet‘s representative, Ms Gijima Mbokodo.
Denel’s representative Ms Zizi Mlokoti said, “We don’t doubt that donations will contribute to the quality of education. We need to have quality government schools even in rural areas like this”.
The deputy minister of public enterprise spoke about the importance of working together to do more. He thanked the parents and the school’s principal, Mr Vikizitha Maseko for their efforts in building the school. “He is a leader who natured innovation, they didn’t wait for the budget, they improvised. The parents were not spectators but took responsibility in the upbringing and education of their children,” Magwanishe said.
He also called on government department to consider using timber frame in building some of its structures like classrooms, satelite police station and clinics. “Timber frame structures reduce building costs by 15%, its fast, easy and environmentally friendly,” he added.
Education’s MEC in the province, Ms Reginah Mhaule, explained that the department was aware of the dilapidated school’s structures but due to limited budget they were unable to respond positively.
“Currently the department have a budget of R600 m which is not enough for the needs of building schools in the province which exceeds R2 billion. We thank private companies like for adhering to call made by the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise to invest in the future of our children. Working together we will do more,” said Mhaule.
Mhaule also urged learners to consider being Maths and Science teachers in the future as the country need more qualified teachers.
