STELLALANDER-TLAKGAMENG: The North West Department of Education, under the leadership of MEC Ntsetsao Viola Motsumi, officially handed over the newly constructed Tlakgameng Primary School to the community of Tlakgameng village on Thursday, 10 July.
MEC Motsumi was joined by Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Executive Mayor, Cllr Motseokae Maje, at the handover ceremony, which marked a significant milestone in the province’s efforts to improve education infrastructure.
Valued at R69.8 million, the new school boasts 21 classrooms, a Grade R centre, a science laboratory, a fully equipped library, an administration block, a nutrition centre, running water, electricity, and secure perimeter fencing. It is designed to accommodate more than 603 learners from Grade R to Grade 7 and operates as a no-fee school, ensuring access to education regardless of learners’ financial circumstances. In addition, the school will provide daily breakfast and lunch to all pupils through the Department’s nutrition programme. Originally scheduled for handover in August 2024, the completion and formal opening of the facility during Mandela Month underscores the provincial government’s commitment to creating safe, supportive learning environments for all children. During her address, MEC Motsumi emphasized the shared responsibility of safeguarding the school and preserving its facilities. “This school belongs to the community. I call on parents, learners, and the School Governing Body to protect it from theft, vandalism, and any form of misuse,” she said. She also urged all stakeholders to respect the school as a place of learning and to avoid disrupting the academic environment during service delivery protests. Tlakgameng Primary is currently under the leadership of an acting principal, with the Department expected to finalise permanent appointments in due course. The handover is one of several planned for the month of July, symbolically aligned with Nelson Mandela’s legacy of advancing education as a tool for empowerment. The new facility stands as a beacon of progress for the Kagisano-Molopo District Municipality, bringing renewed hope and opportunity to hundreds of learners in the rural village of Tlakgameng.
