​Refurbishment of Laerskool Frikkie Meyer monitored
By Prudence Motsila
13 October 2021
Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Management Ms. Tasneem Motara visited the construction site of the 60-year old Laerskool Frikkie Meyer, in Vanderbijlpark, on the 12 October 2021, to monitor progress on its refurbishment project. The condition of most of the facilities required a complete overhaul and that is why the refurbishments were so critical as it has a bearing on conducive learning and teaching at the school. 
MEC Motara was accompanied by Construction Project Manager Ms. Fezile Nkosi, the Director for Education Branch Southern Cluster Tshepo Marokane, project managers from the contractor, and the DID team. The Project Manager gave an update on progress since the MEC's last visit, indicating that the project anticipated completion date is end of March 2022. 
The school refurbishment is part of government's commitment to the development of quality education infrastructure in communities. The project includes the replacement of roofing, flooring, tiling, and the removal of asbestos from the school facilities.
"The project should last 12 months but it has a considerable number of difficulties, given that a school is more than 60 years old. We envisaged that we would overcome those difficulties working closer with the municipality so that we are able to address them and have a refurbished primary school for our learners." said Motara.
Facilities to be refurbished include the Admin Building Block A, Classroom Block B, Ablution Block C, Classroom Block D, School Hall Block E, Grade R Classroom Block F, Grade R Classroom Block G, Tuck Shop Block H, Caretaker's House, Block J and external works. The scope of work consists of mobile ablutions, glazing, painting, ceiling, plastering, paving and kerbs, flag poles and sport equipment, tiling, rubble removal, asbestos removal and carports.
The project employed a considerable number of local, low skilled, unemployed people who are willing to work, defined as the EPWP target group. The project is highly labor intensive with a great part of the overall project costs allocated to EPWP participants.