New school brings hope
The Premier stressed that the school must be looked after and the ball is now in the learners’ court to do well.
The lives of learners from nine different Amsterdam schools will never be the same after Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza delivered a R189-million state-of-the-art Izimbali Combined Boarding School last Monday.
A decision to build the boarding school for the children living in the farming communities came after Mr Mabuza surveyed the area from a helicopter three years ago. The co-ordinates indicated the existence of schools on the ground, but they could not see a single building from the air, so they decided to drive around instead.
While interacting with parents, it was clear to Mr Mabuza that there was little chance for education for the children on those farming areas.
On that day he promised to build a school that would cater for those children. Construction of the boarding school began towards the end of 2012. The school now boasts 21 classrooms, a science laboratory, library, computer centre, 40 toilets, four sets of boys’ dormitories, four sets of girls’ dormitories and an administration block, ready for occupation. The appointment of hostel staff is at an advanced stage. The school will cater for learners from nine different schools around the area. New school uniforms have also been donated and learners from the nine schools will move in at the beginning of next term in April and the teachers will also be absorbed.
The Premier stressed that the school must be looked after and the ball is now in the learners’ court to do well.
“I’m aware of the poverty in the area, but if we take care of these young children, they will in turn change the environment their parents live in,” said the Premier.
