The Head of Department (HOD) Phucuka Penxa, along with Education Department’s HOD Sharon Maasdorp led a delegation of senior government official to conduct an oversight visit to Bethelsdorp Comprehensive School in Nelson Mandela Metro.
Bethelsdoro is a long-delayed infrastructure project that has left the school community waiting for nearly 10 years.
The visit formed part of a broader intervention to assess progress, address ongoing challenges and fast-track a sustainable solution to complete the school, which has stood partially finished since 2016.
Speaking during the session, HOD Penxa acknowledged that the prolonged delay has negatively impacted both learners and the surrounding community, stating that it “does not project government in a positive light, particularly where services are most urgently needed.”
The project is currently estimated to be 85% complete, with major outstanding work including the installation of staircases, sealing of open manholes, completion of fencing, landscaping, drainage systems and the rectification of several construction defects identified during the walkthrough. Safety concerns were raised as unfinished areas pose a significant risk to learners, making immediate occupation of certain sections inadvisable.
As a designated technical high school, Bethelsdorp Comprehensive School will offer specialised facilities such as a mechanical laboratory. While some furniture and equipment have already been delivered, Nelson Mandela Bay District Director Olona Njotini stressed the importance of ensuring that all technical classrooms meet required standards before learners are relocated.
Prior to the site visit, the HOD Penxa together with senior officials met with the contractor, Yikusasa Building Contractors ‘s Ethwell Morrison, to explore practical options to complete the project.
It was agreed that terminating the contract would not be the most effective route at this stage. Instead, the focus will be on strengthening the contractor’s capacity through additional skilled manpower and support from experienced contractors, while maintaining the original scope of work to avoid further delays.
HOD Maasdorp raised a critical concern during the discussions, the absence of a school hall. Maasdorp said a school hall is essential for accommodating examinations for approximately 1 200 learners. “Currently, learners are forced to write examinations in overcrowded classrooms, a situation described as neither safe nor conducive to academic performance,” she said.
Stakeholders agreed that while additional facilities are necessary, the immediate priority must be to complete the school as initially planned, with add-on requirements addressed through a separate strategy.
Funding constraints and coordination challenges between departments were also brought to the fore. Chief Director for education portfolio, Cokisa Dwashu confirmed that about R10 million has been allocated to complete the project. However, officials emphasised the need for improved interdepartmental communication to prevent delays caused by redirected funds and administrative bottlenecks.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, HOD Penxa assured stakeholders that this project will now receive heightened oversight. “This visit is about fast-tracking a lasting solution. We must complete the project as originally envisaged so that learners can finally access a safe, dignified and fully functional school,” the HOD said.
An implementation plan is expected to be finalised within days, with the handover of completed classrooms targeted for the end of May, allowing learners to occupy safe sections of the school while remaining work continues.
The visit concluded with a collective commitment from all role players to work together, restore public confidence and bring long-overdue relief to the Bethelsdorp school community.
