Picture: The Sediko Primary School learners in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
19 June 2025- The North West Department of Education said it wishes to assure the residents of Jouberton Township in Klerksdorp that the construction of Sediko Primary School will resume. This comes after the project experienced significant contractual challenges, primarily related to change management issues, which posed a serious risk to its continuation.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said, fortunately, these matters have now been resolved and the contractor is back on site, actively preparing to resume in full-scale construction activities. Motsumi said the project focused on renovating the existing classrooms, new ablution facilities, science laboratory, media centre, new block of Grade R learners and a new block of classrooms.
“The construction project halted at 90%, and it will only take four months to complete the remaining work. Due to the considerable lapse in time during which the project was on hold, the previously issued construction work permit has expired.
“In accordance with regulatory requirements, this permit must be renewed with the Department of Labour before any construction related work can recommence on site,” she said.
Motsumi further pleaded with the community to allow learners to write examinations peacefully. She added that her department assures parents and learners that the contractor will resume with the construction project.
“I would like to appeal to the community of Jouberton to allow examinations to unfold smoothly without any challenges. Currently, the construction staff is busy preparing for the construction project to resume.
“They are removing all the unwanted materials from the construction site while awaiting the approval of the Construction Work Permit from the Department of Labour,” said Motsumi.
She said as a department, they are fully aware of the inconvenience caused by the delay in completing the project. Motsumi said following the issuance of the construction work permit, the project is expected to require an additional four months to reach completion.
The Guardian 