Dilizintaba Senior Secondary School in Tsolo was first built in 1956 by the community using a mixture of wood and mud but now that structure has been replaced by a R40m state-of-the-art building.
The newly built school has 19 classrooms, a fully equipped multimedia centre, science lab, library, nutrition centre complete with dining chairs, an administration block, staff room, principal’s office and storeroom.
Construction took two years. Some added features include water tanks, ablution facilities, a new security gate and fence.
Before the much-needed construction, pupils from different grades had to share classes, resulting in overcrowding.
But now, it is hoped the new school will result in improved matric pass results.
The school, which was officially opened on Friday, is named after the late Chief Dilizintaba Mditshwa.
Education department acting MEC Phumeza Mpushe said the construction of the school was not part of the national Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi) but was from provincial funding.
“Our work is about ensuring that even in the deepest rural communities pupils are able to access quality education and teaching and a proper structure is one step towards achieving those goals,” said Mpushe.
She called on residents to refrain from vandalising and burning schools during their service delivery protests.
Mpushe said the previous structure was falling down and no longer fit for teaching.
The family of Dilizintaba were the honoured guests at the event and Prince Bhekizulu Mditshwa said they were filled with a sense of pride to see his family name being lifted up.
He said the school was now a part of their legacy and they were more than capable of ensuring that the standard was maintained.
School governing body chair Thaban Mavela said there was a belief that a proper structure produced proper results.
“It is a beautiful building, one that we really should be proud of. We hope that the children will show appreciation by doing well and appreciate the opportunity to learn.”
Grade 12 pupil Asavela Mantyi said they had to share a class as pupils from different grades and the school had no security.
“The guys who are still in the lower grades should really feel blessed because they will have everything from labs to a library.
“We had to make do with what was available and we still stayed in school. We are really happy about the renovations,” said Mantyi...