Coega Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through School Infrastructure Projects
YWCA Special School in KwaZulu-Natal - Construction Value: R111 million
Gqeberha, South Africa, 26 January 2023 - With the beginning of a new year and 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 Coega Development Corporation (CDC) marks 2023 school openings with an update on the construction of School Infrastructure Projects, says Akash Singh, CDC Programme Director (Acting).
The CDC is an Implementing Agent of Choice on various school projects that support the SDGs through its work in education. The CDC’s projects in education, which are set to become operational this year, include construction projects worth a total value exceeding R 205 million.
One of the leading projects, at 78% completion, is the YWCA Special School in Amajuba District in KwaZulu-Natal, with a construction value of R111 million. The Project comprises, amongst other construction activities, the building of standard classrooms, multipurpose classrooms, a workshop, a therapy suite attached to classrooms, a media centre, administration block, guardhouse, tuck-shop, ablutions, 50-bed hostel, kitchen, 300-seat dining hall, and general renovations to existing buildings including the disposal of asbestos.
According to Mr. Siyabulela Ntanta, CDC Programme Manager: “Education is one of the most crucial pillars on which an equitable, inclusive, and developmental society is built. The Programme seeks to enhance educational outcomes and increase accessibility, particularly in isolated rural areas where basic amenities like satisfactory teaching environments, basic teaching equipment, electricity, water, and sanitation are lacking.
Nkululeko Secondary School in the Eastern Cape is also progressing well, with 62% of the work already complete and a construction value of R49 million. The Project scope includes a new administration block with staff ablutions, a total of 27 standard classrooms, eleven single story building blocks, four specialist classrooms, learner ablutions distributed in two blocks, support and ancillary facilities comprising a nutrition centre, tuck-shop, caretaker room, security gatehouse, refuse yard, and 5000L rainwater storage tanks.
Construction underway on Tongai Junior Secondary Multi-purpose Classroom, a learning space designed specifically to promote innovation in teaching and learning
Tongani Junior Secondary School (JSS) in the Eastern Cape is at 53% completion with a construction value of R 45 million. The Tongani Project scope includes the demolition of existing structures, corrugated iron structures, provision of temporary structures, a nutrition centre, the construction of new blocks, a media centre and science lab, reception classroom, staff ablutions, learner ablutions, an assembly slab, and the renovation of existing structures.
The completion of these school projects, according to Mr. Ntanta, will play an important role in improving the potential of all learners in these communities.
“The CDC’s work as an Implementing Agent of Choice allows the organisation to achieve its primary objective of socio-economic development through education. Currently, the CDC is implementing various programmes within the School Building Programme ranging from new schools, to upgrades and additions to existing schools, repairs, and renovations to various schools within the province of KZN, focusing on SMME and local labour employment targets,” concludes Akash.
Other school infrastructure projects include Cewu JSS at 90% completion and Cebe JSS at 85% completion, both in the Eastern Cape.