The thought of working with bricks to build something had never crossed Nosipho Pani’s mind. Not long ago, the 20-year-old Libode resident was earning a living working at a coffee shop in Cape Town.
But in a space of just two weeks, she not only managed to build something, but has also become a qualified builder in her own right.
Pani, who had to look for a job after dropping out of school in Grade 12 three years ago, was among 36 citizens from villages around Libode who handed over a new classroom they had built themselves to staff and pupils at Zwelakhe Junior Secondary School in Mdlankomo village.
The villagers were trained in bricklaying, carpentry and plastering by Triamic Construction, a company contracted by the South African National Roads Agency Limited to work on the multimillion-rand road upgrades on the R61 between Libode and Ngqeleni.
The theoretical side of the training took only 20 days to complete before they were given tools to start the construction.
“I never thought I could end up building a house in my life,” said a beaming Pani, who has a three-year-old daughter.
“Now I know all the technicalities involved in laying bricks when building, including the measurements involved in the work and how to make sure the walls won’t leak.”
And now that she has acquired her new craft, she has one goal in mind.
“I want to own my own construction company and build houses because I just love it now.”
Zama Ntlebi, 39, who hails from Qhanqu village, hopes the learning opportunity would open many doors for him.
The widowed father of seven has previously worked at a hardware store and has always wanted to become a builder.
“qNow I have a certificate to do what I love,” he said.
Triamic site manager Gerard Peters said the company had decided to train the villagers as a way of giving back to the community.
Meanwhile, Zwelakhe JSS principal Zolile Mthetho welcomed the donation of a class saying the school had old classrooms.
He said they had applied for a new school building in 2010 from the department of education and were told they had been included on its priority list.
“We also need science and computer laboratories and have been approaching sponsors for help.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Villagers built new classroom
But in a space of just two weeks, she not only managed to build something, but has also become a qualified builder in her own right.
Pani, who had to look for a job after dropping out of school in Grade 12 three years ago, was among 36 citizens from villages around Libode who handed over a new classroom they had built themselves to staff and pupils at Zwelakhe Junior Secondary School in Mdlankomo village.
The villagers were trained in bricklaying, carpentry and plastering by Triamic Construction, a company contracted by the South African National Roads Agency Limited to work on the multimillion-rand road upgrades on the R61 between Libode and Ngqeleni.
The theoretical side of the training took only 20 days to complete before they were given tools to start the construction.
“I never thought I could end up building a house in my life,” said a beaming Pani, who has a three-year-old daughter.
“Now I know all the technicalities involved in laying bricks when building, including the measurements involved in the work and how to make sure the walls won’t leak.”
And now that she has acquired her new craft, she has one goal in mind.
“I want to own my own construction company and build houses because I just love it now.”
Zama Ntlebi, 39, who hails from Qhanqu village, hopes the learning opportunity would open many doors for him.
The widowed father of seven has previously worked at a hardware store and has always wanted to become a builder.
“qNow I have a certificate to do what I love,” he said.
Triamic site manager Gerard Peters said the company had decided to train the villagers as a way of giving back to the community.
Meanwhile, Zwelakhe JSS principal Zolile Mthetho welcomed the donation of a class saying the school had old classrooms.
He said they had applied for a new school building in 2010 from the department of education and were told they had been included on its priority list.
“We also need science and computer laboratories and have been approaching sponsors for help.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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