Construction of the Ribane Laka Secondary School in Mamelodi East will now cost close to R20 million more than originally budgeted.
Construction was originally budgeted for R128, 886, 979, 10c (hundred twenty-eight million eight hundred and eighty-six thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine rand and ten cents).
But now the long-anticipated completion of the school will cost R147, 878, 694, 81c, (hundred and forty-seven million eight hundred and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and ninety-four rand and eighty-one cents.
Construction at the school has been going on for five long years now, having started in 2021.
According to a response submitted to Tshwane Talks by Theo Nkonki who is spokesperson for Gauteng MEC for the Department of Infrastructure Development and COGTA Jacob Mamabolo, the delay in completing construction can be attributed to the following factors:
1.The infamous July 2021 riots which halted construction by a whole month.
2.Temporary use of certain classrooms by the school, which were earmarked for reconstruction and refurbishment.
3.Financial constraints experienced by the company which won the tender to reconstruct the school.
4. Construction site shutdowns/ forced work stoppages instigated by “local business forums” which demanded shares in the project.
“The contract for Ribane Laka Secondary School was awarded to Tembaka Construction on 15 December 2020 and construction was expected to be completed on 31 March 2023,” he said.
Despite the aforementioned challenges faced by Tembaka Construction company, Nkonki said Tembaka has always been the contractor and was never removed from the project at any stage.
He stressed that retention of Tembaka as the contractor was done “for the sake of consistency and the successful completion of the project.”
He said the revised contract amount has increased due to added compensation events and cost escalation.
Nkonki said construction of the school is now expected to be finally completed at the end of February 2025.
He pointed out that the final stages of construction include the following:
1.Carpentry work in the laboratories and installation of outstanding fittings such as curtains and an audio system in the school hall.
2. Landscaping around the school premises.
3.Upgrading the water line to a larger diameter to meet fire safety regulations.
4. Installation of Clear Vu fencing and the construction of combi courts.
5. Installation of a fire exit staircase. 6.Addressing snags and touch-ups to ensure readiness for handover.
Nkonki added that the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure (DID) has launched a system called Infrastructure Delivery Platform, which is an advanced online solution designed to address delays in delivering critical social infrastructure projects across the province of Gauteng.
It must be noted that Ribane Laka Secondary School has all along been a standing brick and mortar building before construction on it began with promises by the government to turn it into a school of specialisation which would teach Maths and Science, IT, Commerce, Sports, Arts and Culture.
Back in 2021 when construction of the school began, many parents fell over themselves to get placement for their kids in grade 8 at Ribane Laka, but sadly that class of 2021 grade 8 learners will be leaving the school without having benefitted from the promises of specialised education.
This as they are now in grade 12 and won’t be at the school next year.