Fatshimetrie recently highlighted a worrying situation at Kutsakeni Primary School in Gandlanani village, Limpopo. Staff at the school revealed that the school’s two boreholes dried up in 2021, forcing the school to ask students to contribute R150 annually to fill their water tanks.
This situation raises legitimate concerns among parents, including Randzu Macebe, who shared his concerns with Fatshimetrie. According to Macebe, the classrooms are in poor condition, with the exception of the administration block. The lack of running water at the school means that students are required to contribute money to purchase water, placing an additional burden on families already facing financial difficulties.
School Management Committee chairperson January Baloyi confirmed that the school spends about R4 000 per month to fill water tanks. He acknowledged that some parents cannot afford to contribute, especially those who rely on social grants. This situation highlights the challenges faced by members of the Kutsakeni school community.
In addition to the water problems, Kutsakeni Primary School suffered severe damage during a storm that hit Giyani in October. The school’s already dilapidated buildings were damaged, with cracks in the walls and holes in the floors. The incidents forced the school to cook meals in a makeshift zinc structure on the premises.
SMC members said they had repeatedly approached the Limpopo Department of Education for assistance over the past ten years. Despite their efforts to access groundwater by drilling boreholes at different locations, the problems persist.
A letter dated 24 October 2024, signed by the school principal, two members of the School Management Committee and the village headman, was sent to the Department of Education. They called on the Department to intervene urgently to ensure the safety of students and staff.
When asked about the recent storm and the damage to the school’s infrastructure, Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mosebjane Kgaffe said that only one roof was severely damaged and that steps were being taken for repairs. However, field observations showed that the damage was more extensive.
Mosebjane Kgaffe said that Kutsakeni School is on the Department’s priority list for renovation work to meet current national standards. However, he stresses that concrete actions must be taken to address these pressing issues and ensure a safe and conducive learning environment..
Fatshimetrie will continue to closely monitor the situation at Kutsakeni Primary School, hoping that adequate measures will be taken to meet the essential needs of students and staff.