Central SA
North West education moves to restore burnt classrooms─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 15:42 Thu, 05 Feb 2026
The North West department of education has appointed a contractor to repair classrooms that were destroyed by a fire at Rauwane Sepeng Secondary School in Tlhabane, Rustenburg.
The fire on 4 November 2024 gutted twelve classrooms. Nevertheless, the school achieved a 96% pass rate in that year’s matric exams.
Preliminary reports indicated electrical faults were detected and are believed to have caused the fire.
North West education spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule confirmed R10 million has been allocated for the renovations. The department’s intervention forms part of its broader infrastructure development strategy, he said.
On Wednesday (4/2), North West education MEC Viola Motsumi officially introduced the appointed contractor to the school community. She acknowledged that several schools in the province continue to experience infrastructure challenges.
She vowed the programme of handing over contractors for renovations would be extended to other schools affected by storms and structural damage.
Two additional classrooms
The department is in the process of building two additional mortar classrooms as part of efforts to eradicate the use of mobile classrooms. “We will not stop at Rauwane Sepeng.
“We are rolling out a broader programme to hand over contractors to schools in need of renovation, including facilities damaged by storms. We are also building two additional mortar classrooms where needed to eliminate reliance on mobile classrooms,” says Motsumi.
Meanwhile, Mantshule reiterated that the department’s response to the Rauwane Sepeng Secondary School fire aligns with its ongoing strategy to improve school infrastructure, strengthen maintenance systems, and reduce dependence on temporary classroom structures.
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