Rustenburg – The building of a R20 million school in Maologane outside Rustenburg is the nucleus of development in the village, Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela said on Wednesday.
"There will be water storage system at the school and also sewer system. It means people closer to the school can connect on the water and sewer system, from this project Maologane can start to have [water] yard connection," he said at the sod-turning ceremony of Ramotshodi High School.
Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in partnership with Anglo American Platinum (Amandelbult operation) and Dikuno tsa Sechaba Development Trust are building the eight class-roomed school which would have science and biology laboratory, administration block, ablution block, water storage system and landscaping.
"This is one of the many partnership which we have recognised as a direct and relevant in eliminating social ills within our communities. One focus area in the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Master Plan is to improve the livelihood of all rural Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela communities. Projects like this one ensure the future of our learners and create jobs for the unemployed during the implementation processes."
Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela in Moruleng has led several project in Moruleng which included a shopping mall and stadium in the rural village. He told the crowd that when Moruleng mall was built, there were people against the building of the mall in a rural village but, today the same people crowded the mall.
"They did not see the bigger picture..." he said appealing to residents not to vandalise the school. Chairperson of Dikuno tsa Sechaba Development Trust Mosimanegape Moleme said the project was amongst many benefits aimed at alleviating poverty.
"This kind of project demonstrates the commitment of the development trust – as funded by Anglo [American] Platinum – to deliver on its commitment to facilitate and assist resilient communities through mining beyond mining. It further demonstrates the value of working together with other stakeholders to deliver value to society."
The construction of the school was expected to be completed in December.