Parents welcome rebuilt school
Diepkloof school originally made of asbestos reopens
DELIGHTED parents welcomed the opening of the new Noordgesig Primary School in Diepkloof on the first day of school.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng Premier David Makhura reopened the school yesterday, as part of the department’s programme to eradicate mud schools or those built with inappropriate substances.
The old school, built with asbestos, was demolished to make way for the more environmentally-friendly structure.
“This is among 29 schools that the department has committed to eradicate by the 2023/23 financial year,” Lesufi said.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis and a rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma.
Asbestos can also progressively cause lung disease.
Lesufi added that the other schools in the sector which had been built with asbestos were under construction.
“As we stand here today, we are making a strong statement that we are turning things around.
“We are turning things around, not only for the purpose of infrastructure, but also with the concern of what is happening in classrooms.
“Those that thought we don’t deserve bricks and mortar, but asbestos rather, must know we’ve changed things for the better.”
He added that the reopening of Noordgesig meant the taxis, buses and minibuses that were transporting community children elsewhere to search of better schools were making a huge U-turn back to township schools in the community.
“Whoever thought in our lifetime that Noordgesig Secondary School can produce results: from 80% in 2018 to 92.4% in 2019.
“This means our children can get quality education at their doorstep.
“We are turning things around to ensure that our education system can prepare our children to compete with other children in any part of the world.”
A delighted parent and community member expressed her gratitude to the department for the school.
“I’m happy that Noordgesig has been rebuilt after everything we’ve been through because we’ve been fighting, boycotting to get the school to where it is today.
“We (community members) are happy today that it finally opened.
“We fought for this school, so that our children can have a school for generations to follow,” said Chantel Willams.
Gauteng MEC of Infrastructure and Development Tasneem Motara said: “It’s one of our example projects.
“We delivered it in record time and almost stayed within the budget.
“The amount of R110 million was invested into this project and community by the provincial government.
“We’ve given opportunities to the value of close to R40m to 59 subcontractors, which are all local, and gave an opportunity to close to 150 labourers.”
Motara also said 30 Expanded Public Works Programme learners would be awarded certificates for being part of the project for 18 months.
Although the field where the children were placed while the school was being rebuilt has to be rehabilitated, the MEC encouraged the community of Noordgesig to take care of the newly-rebuilt school.
“A school’s facilities, teachers, communities and the system create what future generations can be.
“I hope this is not the end of the journey. We definitely will be back and will be part of you (the school) and the community.”
Noordgesig Primary’s deputy principal, Colleen Gill, said: “This day and year are very special for me.
“This year I am celebrating 30 years of service at Noordgesig. I want to thank our premier for being an honourable man and keeping his word about rebuilding the school.
“I want to make a commitment on behalf of the community, school and staff that we will look after these premises.
“I pray that God continues to bless us and continues to allow us to give our children the best education, so that they can become leaders of tomorrow.”