Portfolio Committee on Education, Culture, Arts and Sports Recreation concluded its week-long oversight programme in Pella, within the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, with visits to Sewagodimo Technical School and the Moses Mauane Kotane Memorial Site.

The Chair of Chairs, Hon. Tebogo Modise, stated that the purpose of the oversight week was to exercise oversight over government departments and ensure accountability for the budgets appropriated to them.

The Committee was welcomed by the Principal of Sewagodimo Technical School, Ms Motsabi Taela, who provided a brief overview of the school’s background and current status.
Ms Taela informed the Committee that she was appointed as Principal in May 2026 and that the school is functioning well despite a few minor challenges that have not affected its operations. She indicated that the school is currently preparing Grade 12 learners for the September examinations and that all the equipment required to support teaching and practical learning is available.

The Principal further informed the Committee that the school’s infrastructure is ageing, as it was built during the Bophuthatswana era and has never undergone major renovations. She explained that the school’s biggest infrastructure challenge is its ablution facilities, as all toilets, including those in the administration block, are no longer functioning properly and have to be flushed manually using buckets. In addition, several classrooms have broken doors and damaged windows.

Ms Taela also highlighted the municipality account for water and electricity as one of the school’s major challenges. She explained that the municipality continues to bill the school for water despite not supplying water to the premises. She further indicated that the electricity account is excessively high, placing additional financial pressure on the school’s budget, which is primarily allocated to teaching and learning resources.

Hon. Modise noted that many schools across the province are experiencing similar challenges with municipal accounts. He indicated that the Committee would facilitate discussions between the Department of Education and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to address the billing of schools for water that is not being supplied and to seek a sustainable solution.

The Committee also resolved to write to the Department of Education requesting that the school be considered for infrastructure renovations and the construction of a perimeter fence to improve security and protect school property and equipment.

Furthermore, the Committee noted that many schools are struggling with high electricity costs. Given that Sewagodimo is a technical school and relies heavily on electricity for practical subjects, the Committee will engage the Department of Education to explore measures to assist the school in reducing its electricity costs.
The Committee concluded its oversight programme in Pella with a visit to the Moses Mauane Kotane Memorial Site.

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