Lerato Mbhiza
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, accompanied by Education and Youth Development MEC, Matome Chiloane and Infrastructure Development and Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile, on Wednesday fulfilled the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) commitment to the community of Mayibuye by officially opening the state-of-the-art Mayibuye Primary School in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
Speaking at the event Lesufi said the school has 28 smart classrooms, 2 Smart Science laboratories, a Computer Lab, an Early Childhood Development section, a library, and an Administration block.
Lesufi added that Phase 2 will be launched on 27 April 2024 and it will consist of a Nutrition Centre combined with a dining hall, a soccer field and Combi Courts (netball, basketball and tennis courts.
This phase has been faced with numerous ownership, contractual and construction delays, including misinformation that the school had been built on a wetland, which was not the case. A sewerage line was identified as the main challenge, but it has been fixed, he said.
Concerned about the delays and their impact on the delivery of quality education to learners in and around Mayibuye, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has been working around the clock to ensure the school is handed over to the community.
To ensure that such delays do not occur again, the GPG is awaiting a final report from the Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) which will determine whether any party needs to account.
“Today’s handover is about delivering on the promise of handing over this beautiful infrastructure to the people of Mayibuye, who have been calling for the swift resolution of the challenges which have led to these delays.
“We promised that we will ensure the school is up and running in 2024 and we are doing exactly that. Through the completion of the Mayibuye Primary School, we are showing our commitment to the completion of incomplete projects and the delivery of state-of-the-art education infrastructure,” said Lesufi .
Mayibuye Primary School is further proof of Gauteng’s promise of building quality schools and increasing access to quality education in Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostel areas. The handover of the Mayibuye Primary School is also expected to help alleviate admission and placement pressure.
“By the end of March, over 1 200 young people will have full access to all these exciting facilities. Today, we are allowing certain grades to begin using the school while waiting for the contractor to conclude works on the hall and the redirection of the sewer line,” said Lesufi.
Speaking at the event, MEC Chiloane said the launch of Mayibuye Primary School was an indication of the government’s unwavering dedication to delivering quality education infrastructure within communities where our people reside.
“With this school, our TISH learners are also being given the opportunity to excel in the sciences as there is a science lab; and because this is a smart school, our learners will be using the latest technology,” the Education MEC said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
