Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba hands over two newly constructed schools

On the 25 of February, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba accompanied By MEC for Education Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya handed over two newly constructed primary schools in Sekhukhune district.

The four blocks construction was completed within 24 months as per level agreement between parties involved. The Dikgalaopeng Primary situated in Tafelkop was built in 1967 and was destroyed by heavy rains in 2021, which led to it being demolished. During the construction phase, learners made use of mobile classes until the construction was finalized in 2024.

Although the construction was completed within an agreed turnaround time, there was a bit of delays which was caused by “construction mafias” who wanted to be appointed without relevant qualifications.

Dr Ramathuba did not mince her words when addressing construction mafias subject that always stands between service delivery and communities.

“I am tired of you contractors who stand between our way, learners and service delivery by demanding to be appointed when you know you don’t have relevant qualifications. We cannot appoint you as a service provider because of being a local, and you claim that it is your birth right.

We can never appoint companies for the sake of being local over qualifications because we don’t want to see buildings that are not compliant and has to be refurbished with public funds. We will prioritise locals for handy jobs and that is standard. We are now behind handing over 19 schools because of construction mafias“

The handover reinforces the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure, ensuring that the foundation phase has conducive environment for the development of learners to excel at a critical phase of their educational journey.

When she handed over the Mplegeng primary school at Ga-Moloi, The Premier pleaded with community members not to vandalise the schools and be on the lookout for criminal who will want to delay learners’ education by ensuring that educators and learners don’t have access to premises by vandalizing them.

The Limpopo Department of Education appointed the IDT in 2013 as an implementing agent of the new upgrades and rehabilitation of school programme which comprises of 202 schools. With the service level agreement in place, the provincial government will continue to hand over more schools in the next five years and beyond.

The historic moments were witnessed by learners, parents and communities. Dr Ramathuba also handed over pairs of school shoes, school bags to leaners and laptops to the school management of both schools. EC