Interest Group:
Balebogeng Primary School was founded in 1956 during the previous dispensation and serves the community of Mamelodi East, Ward 33.
“The need for a media centre was brought to our attention by an former pupil involved with projects in the local community,” reports Nova Marketing Director Gunther Greun.“We see this as an investment in the future generations,” he says.
“In discussions with the principal it was established that two existing classrooms were being used as the school’s library and computer room, which meant that on average between 60 and 65 pupils are accommodated per classroom.
Nova Brick and the school principal proposed a Local Economic Development (LED) project to representatives of the City of Tshwane and the DMR. Possible resistant points such as community, Department of Education approvals as well as furnishing of the centre was raised. These were addressed by the principal in subsequent meetings with parents, funders and written approval and plans was obtained from the Education Department. The proposal was finally approved by the DMR at the end of the 2017 school year. The school struggled for over a year to raise further funding, until Nova generously agreed to provide additional support for the project.
Tender invitations were sent out on in early 2019, and subsequently a local resident construction company Mohlamonyane Business Construction was appointed. The director Mr Samuel Mohlamonyane attended Balobogeng as a pupil, and he assured that only local suppliers, tradesmen and labourers would be contracted for this LED project to support job creation in the area.
The construction team quickly sped into action.
“Within a month, ground breaking took place,” concludes Gunther, ” and it is with great pride that we can report our project at Balebogeng Primary School was successfully completed in a few months, with the official hand-over taking place in November 2019.”