A HEALTHY working relationship between media and government is critical in improving the lives of ordinary people.
Education MEC Mandla Makupula said this at the official hand-over of a R7.8-million girls’ hostel at Makaula Senior Secondary School in Lugangeni Village outside Mt Frere yesterday.
The hostel will accommodate 463 girls, among them Grade 11 pupil, Sinathi Gwaxa.
“We used to sleep on chairs and used torches to study due to frequent outages.
“In winter we couldn’t sleep at night because it was very cold because the windows were broken so we would feel drowsy in class during the day.
“We thank the department for keeping its promise,” she said.
School principal Luzuko Mbana said the old hostel had been converted from a mud school in 1972 and was a far cry from the new facility. Mbana thanked the Dispatch for its intervention.
“It’s chalk and cheese. This is a masterpiece. Everything has been done by the book. You have helped us immensely,” he said.
Mbana said the old facility had been badly managed, had been without water and depended on the community for security, maintenance and upkeep over the years.
“We wrote so many letters to the department. It was a health hazard and our pupils were exposed to drug smugglers and alcohol because security was not up to scratch.
“They also depended on the river for water,” he said.
Mbana said 189 pupils lived in an adjacent brick and mortar structure built by the community last year.
“We need massive construction,” he said.
School governing body chairman Mandlakayise Mlenzana said the school was overcrowded with only 11 classrooms for 1206 pupils and called for the school to be expanded.
“The current enrolment figures cause congestion and prevent proper teaching,” he said.
Parent Nosamkele Dlakhulu, 56, said she was elated for her child’s comfort.
In her welcoming address, Chieftainess Nokwezi Makaula, who reigns over 26 villages, urged the audience to vote for a party that had brought a “better life”, without mentioning any party by name. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
MEC hands over new hostel
Education MEC Mandla Makupula said this at the official hand-over of a R7.8-million girls’ hostel at Makaula Senior Secondary School in Lugangeni Village outside Mt Frere yesterday.
The hostel will accommodate 463 girls, among them Grade 11 pupil, Sinathi Gwaxa.
“We used to sleep on chairs and used torches to study due to frequent outages.
“In winter we couldn’t sleep at night because it was very cold because the windows were broken so we would feel drowsy in class during the day.
“We thank the department for keeping its promise,” she said.
School principal Luzuko Mbana said the old hostel had been converted from a mud school in 1972 and was a far cry from the new facility. Mbana thanked the Dispatch for its intervention.
“It’s chalk and cheese. This is a masterpiece. Everything has been done by the book. You have helped us immensely,” he said.
Mbana said the old facility had been badly managed, had been without water and depended on the community for security, maintenance and upkeep over the years.
“We wrote so many letters to the department. It was a health hazard and our pupils were exposed to drug smugglers and alcohol because security was not up to scratch.
“They also depended on the river for water,” he said.
Mbana said 189 pupils lived in an adjacent brick and mortar structure built by the community last year.
“We need massive construction,” he said.
School governing body chairman Mandlakayise Mlenzana said the school was overcrowded with only 11 classrooms for 1206 pupils and called for the school to be expanded.
“The current enrolment figures cause congestion and prevent proper teaching,” he said.
Parent Nosamkele Dlakhulu, 56, said she was elated for her child’s comfort.
In her welcoming address, Chieftainess Nokwezi Makaula, who reigns over 26 villages, urged the audience to vote for a party that had brought a “better life”, without mentioning any party by name. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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