Eastern Cape community unites to rebuild fire-ravaged classrooms

The community of Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape has united to raise funds for the rebuilding of three classrooms at Ngqeleni Senior Secondary School. The fire that ravaged the classrooms occurred in 2018. The school, which accommodates over 700 learners, also suffered vandalism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents, teachers, learners, and local businesses have come together to form a campaign aimed at restoring the school. Entrepreneur Vusumzi Yase stated, "We, as the people of the community and business sector, have decided to rebuild the school that was burnt by fire in 2018. We believe that the processes for correcting the situation are taking too long, so we are now working on evaluating the building to determine if it can be rebuilt."

The Eastern Cape Education Department spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, announced that the school is slated for rebuilding in the 2026/2027 budget. The department provided two mobile classrooms in 2023 to assist with temporary relief, but the rebuilding is still planned as part of the district's priorities.