Masimdumise High School learners shine as “Operation Sukuma Sakhe” paves opportunities.
Vusi
Shabalala reports and pictures by Sane Khumalo
It was a Tuesday the 21st of August 2012
when the “Communications Team” headed
an official one and a half hour drive all the
way from Pietermaritzburg to
Masimdumise High School in Impendle.
The school is located at the Impendle Local
Municipality in Ward 3 KwaNovuka area. It
has enrolledapproximately 181 learners.
Learners of Masimdumise High School during the
assembly session
Arrival of the Mayoral delegation and entourage at
Masimdumise High School
The visit was a continuation of “Operation
Sukuma Sakhe” which also meant that the
day was equivalent to a service delivery
programme where the KZN Department of
Public Works in collaboration with the
Department of Education had a core
government mandate to deliver on crucial
education resources. This project was
therefore a result of the deployment of the
KZN Public Works to mentor the local
municipality under the Umgungundlovu
District.
It should be mentioned that the first part of
the day’s programme commenced at a
briefing session held at Impendle Local
Municipality. After the briefing session, the
whole entourage took to the Masimdumise
High School.
Programme Director for the day as
managed by Mr Thobuyise Mchunu,
Regional Manager for Southern Region was
in full swing to kick-start the programme
for the morning. As programme director, Mr
Mchunu also had the opportune time to
brief all guests on the purpose of the visit.
Serving as Programme Director and delivering a
purpose of the visit speech above is Public Works’
Regional Manager for Southern Region Office, Mr
Thobuyise Mchunu.
To highlight but a few reasons or purposes,
the Masimdumise High School was
identified by the Public Works’ Southern
Region management and personnel under
the “Operation Sukuma Sakhe” as an
institution in “need”. Some school resources
and teaching aids were in total dilapidation
and this prompted Mr Mchunu and his
management to come to the party.
One should also be reminded that
“Operation Sukuma Sakhe” is directly and
indirectly a “service delivery” aimed at
benefitting the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal.
“As part of the cost-cutting measures by the
Government, the Department of Public
Works utilises its internal resources in
terms of manpower and funding” remarked
Mr Mchunu during his opening remarks.
In essence, the purpose of the visit as
outlined by the programme director as the
major requirement was the official
handover of refurbished school furniture by
the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public
Works. The refurbished commodities
comprised of desks and tables. The project
cost amounted to approximately R9616.22.
Further to refurbishment, the Public Works’
maintenance and workshop personnel are
at this stage installing ceiling to the
administration office of the school.
In following the programme protocols, Mr
Mkhize, the school principal welcomed all
guests thereafter, Mr Mqadi, Project Officer
in the Office of the MEC for Human
Settlements and Public Works made an
acknowledgement address on all guests and
visitors.
Mr Mqadi, Project Officer from the Office of the MEC
Human Settlements and Public Works introducing all
relevant delegates from Public Works
It should be mentioned that the occasion
was graced by amongst others His Worship
the Mayor of Impendle Local Municipality,
Councillor S.G. Ndlela, Mr S.P. Dlungwane,
the Chief Circuit Manager from the
Department of Education, representatives
of the Masimdumise School Governing
Body, members from the Department of
Public Works, educators and other guests.
Mr Mkhize also expressed more delights in
all positives that the Department of Public
Works has done and proffered thus far,
especially during these times of need and
with the need by Government.
Above is the Masimdumise High School principal, Mr
MW Mkhize on the welcoming word.
As part of the programme, Mr Dlungwane, the Chief Circuit Manager from the Department of Education was also given his turn to share the inspirations and support, especially during times as these. He emphasised his thanks on the part and role played by Public Work notwithstanding the fact that both departments has made it a reality to ensure that the youth at Impendle are at a crucial state. Mr Dlungwane further made several requests for support from the Department of Public Works.
Mr SP Dlungwane, the Chief Circuit Manager from the
Department of Education delivering his message of
support to learners
The Honourable Mayor, CouncillorNdlela,
ended the morning’s programme with a
clear keynote delivery of support to the
learners.
“Firstly, I would like to apologise on behalf
of the MEC for Human Settlements and
Public Works, the Honourable Mr Ravi
Pillay who asked me to convey his profuse
apology for not being part of this august
occasion this morning” alluded the mayor as
he expressed humblyon behalf of MEC Ravi
Pillay who could not attend the event due to
other urgent parliamentary commitments
that occurred at the spur of the moment.
Learners at the assembly during the message of support
However, he equally expressed his excitement in the manner in which the visit was made a reality. It is quite indicative that the process was indeed a prudential exercise by the Department of Public Works. In his closing remarks the mayor said “I would ask the gathered officials to join me to hand over the refurbished desks, small tables and the one big table to the school principal Mr Mkhize.”
Seated on a newly refurbished desk next to the
Honourable Mayor Ndlela is Grade 11 student from
Masimdumise High School Sne Zuma. On the far right is
Regional Manager Mchunu in the orange EPWP gear.
In closure, the Head of Department for the Masimdumise High School, Mr Ngubane thanked the entire delegation and entourage for the prestigious gesture and commitment to ensure that delivery of services does not fail the education fraternity.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Mr Ngubane as seen
here above second from the right
The last phase of the day was a project site
visit to Gomane Primary School headed by
Mr NSM Mzinyane. The school had a major
renovations and repairs being undertaken.
Major work projects was on doors,
windows, roofing being replaced; additional
blocks of classrooms and ablution facilities
being developed; painting and paving also
being done.
From the look of the project it was
indicative that the last assignment to be
done is the provisioning of electricity which
of Eskom is on board to undertake the
project to completion. At this stage, Gomane
Primary School has capacity of 356 learners
which comprises of Grade R to 7
respectively with a total educators’ capacity
of 11. Of the eleven staff members there is
only one male educator with only one
female educator dedicated to the Grade R
class. The complete cost to this project
could not be quantified as there are some
other developments to be undertaken.
