The Department’s Joe Gqabi District Inhouse Construction Team, in partnership with APTCoD learners, officially handed over the reconstructed and upgraded facilities at Aliwal North Technical Orientation School (ANTOS) in Maletswai recently.
Accelerated Profesional and Tradde Competency Development (APTCoD) is a government driven youth empowerment initiative.
The ANTOS project was initiated following a devastating fire that severely damaged the school’s Therapy Room and adjacent classrooms.
ANTOS is a multi-grade special needs institution that caters for learners with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Following a formal request from the school principal, Ms. Khoboso Moleko, the DPWI team swiftly responded by undertaking the reconstruction and enhancement project aimed at restoring a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for learners.
The project involved extensive demolition, rebuilding, and refurbishment work. Fire-damaged furniture, fittings, flooring, and wall coverings were removed and safely disposed of in line with environmental and safety regulations. The reconstruction included the development of a dedicated counselling area, a group therapy zone, a general-purpose classroom, and a secure storeroom within the Therapy Room facility.
Additional improvements included the replacement of windows and doors to improve safety and privacy, installation of soft adjustable lighting and electrical outlets to support therapy equipment, as well as the application of durable porcelain flooring and calming neutral wall finishes to create a therapeutic atmosphere.
To further promote inclusivity and accessibility, the team also constructed a wheelchair-accessible ramp to ensure all learners can access the facility comfortably and safely.
Speaking during the handover, Project Leader Simnikiwe Mpakumpaku said, “We’re not just rebuilding walls, we’re rebuilding hope. Every brushstroke and beam is for the learners who deserve a space that supports their growth and healing.”
District Director Khanyiso Mkabile said the quality of work delivered through the project, highlighting the capability of the department’s internal construction teams.
“We are a capable infrastructure department. Looking at the quality of work produced by our in-house artisans, it is time government entrusted us with building schools and clinics ourselves, ultimately saving on labour costs while empowering internal capacity and delivering quality infrastructure to our communities,” said Mkabile.
The successful completion and handover of the project also demonstrates the strong partnership between government, education stakeholders, and community development initiatives in advancing inclusive education and improving infrastructure within the Joe Gqabi District.
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