02 Apr 2019

Construction of a new primary school in Mmopane in the Kweneng District is said to be progressing well.

Even though construction was reportedly behind by four per cent, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen, said progress was  impressive.

He recently toured the project, carried out through assistance from the Chinese community.

The school would be completed in January next year and it included a canteen, kitchen and library, 22 classrooms and staff accommodation.

Minister Van Der Westhuizen appreciated cooperation between Kweneng District Council and the contractor and expressed hope that inspectors were continuously allowed on site to ensure high quality.

He further said he was aware that the Chinese used a different form of construction, castings, instead of bricks, the skill he hoped would be transferred to Batswana.

On opening of the school, he wished the delivery date could be pushed to December to enable the Ministry of Basic Education to enrolpupils and employ teachers.

The project manager, Mr Dai Liping, said the project encountered challenges mainly due to lack of personnel.

Mr Dai had said they had requested a carpenter foreman, bricklaying foreman and an electrician from China but they were turned down since the immigration department refused to offer them work permits.

Originally, the project required 47 Chinese personnel, but only 10 managed to get work permits, and Mr Dai said they were shorthanded, adding that the availability of additional foremen would enable them to employ more Batswana. 

He said the Chinese did not have the qualifications as required by immigration, but had the skills which were very important for their project.

To this, the minister promised to meet with relevant authorities, adding it was also important for Batswana since they could learn from the Chinese.

He further called upon the Chinese to impart a culture of high productivity amongst Batswana. ENDS