Coega Development Corporation to upgrade Eastern Cape schools

The CDC has been assisting the Eastern Cape DOE since 2008, whose vision is to offer quality public education system that transforms schools into centres of community and promote shared moral values, good governance and sustainable development. The organisation has been acting as an implementing agent in rolling out the school building programme.

“We recognise education as a priority for the province and the country. Without it we will not have the skills required to attract and retain investment in the Coega Industrial Development Zone and in the country as a whole,” says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.

Successful projects

Successes achieved in the management of 80 projects leading up to the 2014/15 financial year have led to the CDC being allocated 71 new projects for planning and implementation in the 2015/16 financial year.

Projects include emergency repairs, the replacement of mud structures, new early childhood development centres, and the building of new schools. Tenders for the construction work are expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2016/17 financial year, according to Vilakazi.

“Good news for contractors is that the CDC continues to work with the DOE and Department of Road & Public Works to effectively utilise the inter-departmental accounting model, which has drastically improved the payment cycle time-frames to the benefit of all service providers,” said Thembeka Poswa, CDC programme director.

“One of the schools, James Ndulula Early Childhood Centre situated at Langa location in Uitenhage, caters for kids from Grade R up till Grade 7. The CDC managed the repairing of the facility through renovations, alterations and play areas for the kids,” added Poswa.