Colosa Junior Secondary School in Dutywa was chosen as a beneficiary of the South African Army’s Annual Community Outreach Programme because the army wanted to make a meaningful and visible difference in vulnerable places.
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Khulekani Mbatha, said while speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of the newly refurbished school on Thursday, October 10, “As members in uniform, we are assigned by the people of this country with a very important responsibility in safeguarding their lives and protecting their borders, and in so doing, the human part is always at the forefront,” Mbatha said.
The learners, he said, were not just being taught to acquire knowledge but also to make a meaningful contribution to society.
The refurbishment, which Mbatha estimated to be more than R3 million, included renovated classrooms, a library, a kitchen, ablution facilities, a computer lab, improved accessibility features, and repainting.
The investment made in refurbishing the school was also an investment in the future of society.
“The impact is quite clear; it is to create a conducive environment for teaching to take place. If teaching is going to take place, it must also enable the educators to continue not only with teaching but with research to ensure that the learners are in an environment that dignifies them to be what is expected of them. With this education, it is that ordinary child of that ordinary man and woman who can become the next president, the next professional,” Mbatha said.
He said while the army had skills and competency, it could not do the work alone and had relied on individuals and the business community for sponsorship – who had given generously towards the cause.
Royalty and local government politicians, as the representatives of the people and landowners, had been consulted.
“The leadership of the pride, on their community outreach programme, said let us have projects that will have a meaningful and visible difference. We agreed as a collective to look for the most vulnerable places.
“This school became befitting for our approach, for our intent, the purpose of making that necessary difference to the community of Dutywa,” he said.
AmaXhosa King, Ahlangene Sigcawu, commended the army for the work well done.
“It is the first time we see a school with a computer lab and a library in this area. And when they go to the toilets, they won’t be using pit latrines which have had children drowning; they have flushing toilets. We are grateful, and this will make a huge difference in our villages. I wish other departments will also see and follow suit,” he said.
Education MEC, Fundile Gade, said the project had come in handy and at a good time for his department.
“We are in the process of consolidating the schooling system in the province, especially the historical heritage schools. This is one of those schools that have got history – a very rich history. It has always been in our thoughts as to how we should revamp and reconstruct this school. But fortunately for us, the army came in through the collaboration they have with the ministry (of education) at the national level,” he said.
His department would have to play a role in ensuring the safety of the newly refurbished school and the technological devices therein.
“By next week, we will have to have fenced and secured this investment because this is an area that has a bit of criminal elements. We must also look at getting security guards so that these technological devices that have been put in place here can be utilised by other children who will be coming in the future,” Gade said.
School governing body member, Nomnikelo Nana, said the body appreciated the efforts of the army. However, she was disappointed that some parents had been taking their children to fee-paying schools.
This, she said, had left Colosa with dwindling numbers.
“We appeal that parents bring their children back to the school. We would not want the school to close down due to low numbers after so much investment has been made.
“We have a huge history of success, especially when it comes to music in this school. We would like to bring that glory back to the school, and it will take more learners coming back to the school,” she said.
