Years late and millions over budget, Mpumalanga ‘smart school’ finally opens

Several years, millions of rands, and many missed deadlines later.

Finally, the Mkhondo Combined Boarding School in Mpumalanga has been handed over, and learners are at their desks.

In 2019, the Mpumalanga Public Works Department embarked on a project to build a smart school in a rural part of the province.

It was to be completed within 18 months at a projected cost of R225 million.

So what has been the holdup?

According to officials, Covid-19, bad weather, geological challenges, subcontracting disputes, and weather-related damage.