Storm rips off Madzikuse Primary School’s roof
After assessment, a report was compiled and it was found that that the roof had been torn off and the ceilings had been damaged.
LIMPOPO – Writing their final examination at Madzikuse Combined Primary School in Hatshikonelo village just outside Thohoyandou, learners had to complete the question papers outside the classrooms when heavy storms in the area damaged the roof structures of some classrooms on November 29.
Hatshikonelo Royal Education Desk Committee Chairperson, Vhamusanda Mudzulathungo Mmbi confirmed that the buildings at Madzikuse Combined School were damaged in the storm.
According to Vhamusanda Mmbi, Education Desk members in Hatshikonelo were informed of the incident early the next day, and also that it was no longer safe for learners to write their final examination inside the classrooms.
“After an assessment, we compiled a report, and found that the roof had been torn off, the ceilings had been damaged, electrical wires had been damaged and the walls were cracked. The storm was truly brutal.”
He said they have written many letters informing the Department of Education about old and dilapidated infrastructure that needed to be refurbished, but to no avail.
Some of the classrooms had been built in the 1960’s, with muddy bricks, he added.
School Governing Body Chairperson (SGB) Mashudu Masera, said she was shocked about the incident.
Masera too reported having approaching letters to the Education Department about the refurbishment for Madzikuse Combined Primary School.
She said she was worried that parents would enrol their children elsewhere in 2024 out of fear for their safety at school.
At the time of going to press, Education spokesperson Matome Moremi was still awaiting the formal report from the department’s Vhembe district office.
