This, after the school’s hostel caught fire on January the 11th . More than 100 learners were rescued from the hostel, and six taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

While no learners were injured in the incident, many were left without necessities such as clothing, and bedding, amongst others. Following the department’s intervention, together with the municipality, OFM and other businesses in the province made donations to the school at the end of January, where the provincial Education MEC, Tate Makgoe, also announced that it is expected that it will take six months for the hostel at the school to be built anew.

He explained that a section of the hostel that was partially damaged by the fire will also be demolished, forcing the project to take more than the six weeks that the department previously announced. The department’s spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, confirms that the first phase, which included mop-up operations, has been completed and the second phase, which include the rebuilding of the hostel, will start next month (April).

OFM News