Pupils at Mokone Primary School, in Langa, are learning in a better environment following their school’s revamp.
The pupils had been studying in appalling conditions, with ceilings falling and floor tiles coming loose.
But on Wednesday November 8, their conditions changed for the better when the Tubby Teubes Education Trust, Paul Hanratty Trust and Tiletoria handed over 11 revamped classes which had been repaired at a cost of R250 000.
The work began with the Tubby Teubes Trust addressing problems with waterproofing at the school. It was then that principal Zolile Raphahlele raised the other challenges faced by the school.
Chairperson of the trust, Paul Teubes, said repairing the flooring was just the beginning. He said the plan was to upgrade all the classrooms.
“The aim is to help the school and pupils to make a difference. That is our vision.
“We want to see a better learning environment for children. We would like to possibly renovate the kitchen and feed these pupils. Another plan is to tile the remainder in 2018,” he said.
Tubby Teubes trustee Crispin Sonn said the school was an inspiration to many and that he was happy to make a difference to a clean a school like Mokone.
“I have been to other schools, but I must say this school is inspiring.
“There is nothing as good as a clean school where you do not see a paper on the ground. I am impressed,” he said.
An ecstatic Mr Raphahlele said he was grateful for the work done and support shown to the school.
He said the new floors had greatly improved the learning environment at the school.
“The state of our classes was beyond bad. They had holes and were dusty. Children could not learn in such an environment.
“As a school and Langa community we are grateful that people rallied together and brought much-needed help to revive the school,” he said.
Thanking the donors, he urged them to do more for the school because resources were severely limited.
Langa resident and Langa Rugby player, Leanette Tengwa, who received a bursary to complete her high schooling, from the trust, commended it for its work in Langa.
Ms Tengwa said the trust helped many Langa residents in education and in finding jobs. “The Teubes family has been very generous to this community.
“Their late father Tubby was very hands-on in rugby here.
“He even had his own team here. It is great to see that they still continue with the support they gave us,” she said.
