The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Culture, Arts, Sports and Recreation conducted an oversight visit in the Bojanala District, within the Moretele Local Municipality.

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Culture, Arts, Sports and Recreation conducted an oversight visit in the Bojanala District, within the Moretele Local Municipality. The Committee visited Dikeledi Makapan Primary School, Thari Ya Bana Day Care Centre and the Moretele Culture, Arts and Sports Recreation Service Point.
The purpose of the oversight programme was to strengthen oversight and public participation, while promoting accountability and transparency within government.

The Committee on Education expressed serious concern about the condition of Dikeledi Makapan Primary School. The school’s infrastructure is in a dilapidated state, with cracked walls both inside and outside the buildings, leaking ceilings, and some classrooms without ceilings.

The Principal of the school, Mr William Modise, informed the Committee that the school was established in 1977 and was originally built by the local community. In 1978, the Department of Education constructed four additional classrooms and an administration block, which are also now in poor condition. Ablution facilities were only built in 2017; however, there is still no water supply to the toilets. As a result, the school is forced to flush the toilets manually using buckets.

Mr Modise further indicated that since joining the school in 2017, he has written several letters requesting assistance with the school’s infrastructure challenges. He explained that the extent of the damage cannot be addressed through the Section 21 school budget, which is intended to cover the school’s day-to-day operational expenses.
He added that both parents and teachers are deeply concerned about the condition of the buildings, fearing that they may collapse at any time.

The Committee resolved to engage with the Department of Education to communicate the condition of the school. The Committee believes that the current state of the infrastructure poses a serious safety risk to both learners and educators at Dikeledi Makapan Primary School.

The Committee further requested that the Department brief it on its plans to address the school’s infrastructure challenges. It also requested information on when the Department last visited the school and what communication or responses were provided to the school’s management following its requests for assistance.

Furthermore, the Committee will request the Department to present its School Infrastructure Project List (B5) to determine whether Dikeledi Makapan Primary School has been included in the Department’s infrastructure development plans.

The Committee then proceeded to Thari Ya Bana Day Care Centre, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Radium, to assess its operational status.
The Committee was welcomed by Ms Modiegi Mmethi, the manager of the Centre. She explained that she assumed responsibility for the Centre following the passing of her mother in 2019. She was subsequently appointed by the Board and obtained the necessary qualifications required to manage the ECD Centre.

Ms Mmethi informed the Committee that the Centre receives funding from the Department of Education; however, the funding is insufficient to meet the Centre’s operational requirements.

She further indicated that the Centre’s kitchen is not compliant with health and safety regulations. According to health inspectors, the kitchen should not be situated between the classrooms, and the existing wooden tables should be replaced with stainless steel tables, as the Centre uses gas for cooking.
Ms Mmethi also informed the Committee that she is preparing a proposal to the Department of Agriculture requesting seeds to establish vegetable gardens. This initiative is intended to enable the Centre to produce its own vegetables. She explained that the cost of vegetables continues to increase monthly, while the funding received from the Department has not been adjusted to accommodate these increases, placing additional financial pressure on the Centre.

In 2014, the Centre received funding from the National Lotteries Commission, which was used to construct additional classrooms, build flushing toilets, purchase office furniture and acquire playground equipment for the children.

The Committee resolved to engage with the Department of Education to determine how ECD centres can be better supported to meet their operational needs, particularly considering rising food costs and other financial pressures.
The Committee will also engage the Department to determine whether it can assist the Centre with the construction of a compliant kitchen to ensure that the children receive care in a safe and appropriate environment.

The Committee concluded its oversight visit at the Moretele Culture, Arts and Sports Recreation Service Point to assess its day-to-day operations, achievements and challenges.
The Committee was welcomed by Ms Shirley Kubuyani, the Sports Officer, who presented an overview of the Service Point’s operations. She indicated that, despite the challenges they face, the Service Point continues to function.

Ms Kubuyani explained that procurement is managed at provincial level, leaving the Service Point with no authority to procure the goods and services required for its operations.
She further highlighted infrastructure challenges, a shortage of furniture and insufficient equipment required to support the activities undertaken by the Service Point.
Ms Kubuyani also indicated that the Service Point does not have sufficient funding to promote grassroots sports development. Furthermore, it is unable to assist athletes with registration at sporting clubs and can only provide limited support in the form of transport and meals.

The Service Point is heavily dependent on the Provincial Office for almost all its operational requirements, including basic office stationery. As a result, it is only able to implement activities that form part of its approved operational plan as determined by the Province.

Ms Kubuyani further informed the Committee that transport remains a significant challenge. The Service Point has only two vehicles available to serve the entire Moretele municipal area, with one vehicle allocated to the Centre Manager. In addition, the office does not have a dedicated telephone line, requiring staff members to use their personal cell phones to carry out their official duties.

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