Fresh new look for rural school

With the euphoria of Mandela month still in air, Avon Peaking Power plant and their contractor, Ansaldo Energia recently renovated Osizweni school in Sinembe, close to the power plant.

The school has been in existence from 1995 when it was transformed from a church into a school, with 150 pupils. The children come from underprivileged homes and half of them are orphans.

For years the Osizweni school pupils learned in classrooms with leaking ceilings and paint that peeled off the walls. Recognising the dire state of the school, the plant developers spent more than R80 000 on fixing the school’s ceilings, floor tiles, kitchen renovations as well as general maintenance.

Osizweni school principal, Zinhle Mkhwanazi said, “The pupils have to walk about 10 kilometres every day as there is no transport available. There is usually a 50 per cent attendance rate daily. Their performance has really been affected because when they do arrive at school, they are too tired and cannot concentrate. The poor infrastructure has not helped at all. It was a nightmare for us when it rained because the water would seep through the roof. We are glad that we do not have to deal with that anymore.”

Mkhwanazi said that she is grateful to the power plant for their contribution to the school.

“We are so pleased that the school has been renovated. It has really helped us a lot,”she said.

The power plant operaters have pledged to work closely with the immediate community and local government.

“We cannot just be operating in the area and not be there for the community. We aim to do our best to continue to help where we can,” said Avon spokesperson Jabilile Motlhako.

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