Gqeberha, South Africa, 09 February 2024 – On Friday, 09 February 2024, Coega was pleased to support the official handover of the Nkululeko Senior Secondary School (SSS) to the community of KwaNobuhle by the Eastern Cape Department of Education. The Nkululeko SSS, which falls under the Department’s School Building Programme, involved the renovation and upgrade of an existing public school facility in the Nelson Mandela Municipality of the Eastern Cape.
The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Honourable Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who officially opened the school, explained that the month of February has been dedicated to opening the schools that have been built across the province. “This project has been facilitated by Coega, the best performing SEZ in the country. In deep rural areas, you will see state-of-the art schools. When we put this infrastructure in place, we are inspiring these communities. We have taken this school to another level, including science and computer labs and sport fields. If you invest in education, you can never go wrong,” said Premier Mabuyane.
Coega serves as an Implementing Agent (IA) of Choice on an assortment of school projects, including new schools, improvements, and additions to existing schools, as well as repairs and renovations to various schools, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 4, which is about “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
The project, millions of rands in value, incorporates a new administration block with staff ablutions, a total of 27 standard classrooms, 11 single-story building blocks, four specialist classrooms including a library, multipurpose and science laboratory, learner ablutions distributed in two blocks, support and ancillary facilities comprising a nutrition centre, tuck-shop, caretaker room, security gatehouse, and refuse yard.
Ms. Thembeka Poswa, Coega Programme Director, said that the improvement of learning environments will result in improved outcomes for the learners and the community. “Coega was very lucky to be appointed as the Implementing Agent on this project. The completion of Nkululeko plays a significant role in improving the potential of all learners in the Eastern Cape, as education is one of the most essential pillars upon which an equitable, inclusive, and developmental society is established,” said Poswa.
In addition to the new infrastructure, the project included the establishment of 5000l rainwater storage tanks, an elevated water storage tank, paved and grassed assembly areas, drinking fountains, concrete seating benches, soft and hard landscaping, a covered storm water drainage system, water and sewer reticulation, electricity supply, and perimeter security fencing for the whole site. The pre-existing school building facilities, located on the northern portion of the site, measuring approximately 2500m2 area and 3500 mm high are set to be demolished.
Nkululeko Grade 11 learner, Awonke Pawu, expressed his excitement immediately after the opening ceremony: “I’ve been a learner here for many years, and last year, we were told that we would have a new school. I feel alive and excited because the promise was kept.”
In terms of socio-economic development imperatives, the project provided employment to 29 local workers, two built environment interns, and 13 SMME contractors. Coega strives to continue enhancing the educational outcomes and increasing accessibility, particularly in rural areas, where there is a lack of basic amenities like adequate learning environments, essential teaching tools, electricity, water, and sanitary facilities.
“Coega’s work as a Trusted Implementing Agent of Choice in South Africa enables us to execute our vision to be a leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development through the provision of educational facilities and the creation of jobs within local communities,” concluded Poswa.