Premier investment

ADECISION by the Gauteng provincial government to fund higher education students with proceeds from the sale of the premier’s official residence has to be lauded.

With the R16 million gained from the sale in Bryanston, 40 students will be able to get an education for their three years of study.

That is really commendable considering the wasteful expenditure that went into that house, disguised as refurbishments and maintenance, over the years.

Who can forget the R2m pumped into the house several years ago to refurbish it for then premier Nomvula Mokonyane, who apparently wanted her own feminine touch after her predecessor Mbhazima Shilowa vacated it.

The bedroom and its en-suite bedroom were refurbished, so was the kitchen, laundry and closet. Among companies outsourced was one to install curtains, as well as Bakos Brothers for the furniture.

Then in 2013, we published a story indicating that R570 000 of taxpayers’ money was being used to fix the swimming pool, an amount that poolrepair shop owners described as excessive.

The house was bought for more than R11m in 2004, just a few months after its previous owner bought it for R1.6m.

When David Makhura assumed office, he decided not to occupy it and, last year, it appeared he was just politicking when he recommended it be put on the market and money from its sale used towards educating Gauteng students.

Makhura has delivered on his promise and it is hoped that those trusted with that money will channel it towards its intended recipients, hoping they will also cherish this opportunity and not put it to waste.