Premier Mandla Ndlovu yesterday officially handed over the newly constructed Mkhondo Boarding School to the local community, marking a significant step in improving education access for rural and farming communities in the area.
A Modern Educational Hub
The R625-million facility, which began operating last month, boasts 32 classrooms, a science laboratory, and a computer centre. Designed to accommodate learners from remote areas, the boarding school is the sixth of its kind in Mpumalanga and is expected to eventually house 1,250 pupils.
Currently, over 400 primary school learners from Grades R to 5 have been enrolled, with high school grades set to be introduced in the next academic year. The school replaces 10 under-resourced rural schools, some of which had overcrowded and dilapidated conditions.
Learners Express Relief and Excitement
During the opening event, learners shared their experiences of transitioning from poorly equipped schools to the new facility.
“I feel really good because I’m excited—I don’t even want to return home because this is my real home now,” said one student. Another recalled the challenges of their previous school: “It was horrible. We were combined in three grades in one classroom. Coming here makes me very happy because it’s not a bad place.”
Budget Overruns and Delays
While the project was initially budgeted at R225 million, costs ballooned to R625 million due to COVID-19 disruptions, community protests, and construction material price escalations. Mpumalanga’s MEC for Public Works acknowledged the overrun but defended the investment, calling it a “state-of-the-art, smart school” equipped with solar power and digital learning tools.
“We have built one of the most advanced schools in Africa, not just South Africa,” the MEC stated. The provincial government also emphasized its move toward paperless learning, aligning with plans to introduce tablets for all learners.
A Step Forward for Rural Education
The school is expected to significantly reduce long travel distances for students in farming communities while providing a safer, more conducive learning environment. Additional phases of enrollment will see more learners integrated in the coming year.
As the ceremony concluded, officials highlighted the need for continued investment in rural education infrastructure, despite budgetary challenges. For now, the Mkhondo Boarding School stands as a beacon of progress—and a costly but hopeful investment in Mpumalanga’s future.