By REGINALD KANYANE
31 July 2025- The North West MEC for Education has conducted a monitoring visit to the construction site of Batho Batho Primary School in Mareetsane village, near Mahikeng today. In November 2023, Motsumi conducted a site handover for the project and officially transferred responsibilities to Kgosi Motshegare, along with his council and the Mareetsane community to initiate the construction of a school.
She further said this project was scheduled for construction duration of 18 months. Motsumi added that she conducted an onsite assessment to evaluate progress and identify potential challenges encountered during the construction phase as the project is nearing the end.
“I am impressed with the progress registered to date and the quality of work advanced at the site. I am happy to observe that the building of the school is at a highly advanced stage. The quality of work that has been demonstrated by the contractor gives one courage to announce that the contractor has so far done wonderful work.
“I also want to commend the community of Mareetsane for not having disturbed the project through any protest like we sometimes encounter in other communities. The recruitment and sub-constructing process was also reported fair and transparent to the community members who qualified to do some work during the construction process,” she said.
Motsumi said as a result, it is clear that the relationship between Motshegare and all stakeholders was very conducive. She said she is also delighted to observe that most of the sub-contractors for the project were women from the community.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank not only the contractor, but the whole community of Barolong Baga Kgosi Motshegare. The allocated amount of more than R59 million was therefore used profitably to benefit the children of the people of Mareetsane.
“The contractor reported that the community has demonstrated strong support and has been cooperating effectively with the project team. Recent torrential rainfall events resulted in minor delays; however, the project remains ongoing without any human related impediments,” said Motsumi.
She said the current scope of work for the construction project encompasses the erection of a Grade R block comprising three classrooms, a science laboratory facility, an administrative block, four classroom blocks, each containing four classrooms, four Heads of Department (HOD) office spaces, a multipurpose center incorporating a computer laboratory and library, an NSNP kitchen with two dining areas, a water storage tank, pump houses and fire protection infrastructure.
“A total of 82 community members are employed through the project, benefiting directly from its initiatives. The Mareetsane community has expressed strong satisfaction and gratitude towards the North West Department of Education for implementing this project, which is expected to enhance the quality of education within Mareetsane,” said Motsumi.
The Guardian 