Beitbridge toasts to new projects
A NEW primary school that was built in Khwalu 2 suburb, Beitbridge, Matabeleland South province, using devolution funds is set to open its doors next term.
So far, two classroom blocks have been completed, while work on toilets and related facilities is underway.
Beitbridge Town Council has since spent about $18 million to build the two classroom blocks from their 2022 allocation of devolution funds.
Town clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola said: “We are in the process of finishing
the ablution facilities.
“We now plan to open in the second term this year.”
The new primary school, Alfred Beit Primary, was named after the trust that built the first bridge that links Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1935.
Since the 1980s, the council only had two schools — Dulivhadzimu Primary School and Vhembe High School.
Construction of Alfred Beit Primary School is expected to decongest most schools in the town. Beitbridge mayor
US$300
councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta recently said the local authority also plans to use devolution funds to build more schools to accommodate the town’s growing population.
“Two classroom blocks have already been completed at the new school and
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construction of ablution facilities has commenced, so that will see this school opening its doors soon,” he said.
The Sunday Mail understands that the town requires an additional four primary and two secondary schools.
Ideally, the town needs to have a primary school for every 5 000 children.
Presently, there are three secondary and six primary schools in Beitbridge.
The town has also used part of its devolution funds to procure earthmoving equipment, which is being used for road maintenance and construction, as well as servicing stands.
Using funds from last year’s allocation, Beitbridge digitised its systems, procured solar power backup systems, upgraded its Local Authorities Digital Systems for budget formulation and constructed a new clinic.
This year, the municipality plans to build a polyclinic, construct 25 tworoomed houses, procure a 20 000-litre bowser, a tipper, a 12-tonne roller compactor and an ambulance.
It also intends to instal public lights, buy tow service vehicles and drill two boreholes at strategic points.
Service delivery has gradually improved in Beitbridge, as the Government continues pouring in funds for capital projects under the devolution programme.