Bongani speaks to Lindi Masina, Mpumalanga’s Education MEC and Communications Manager for Equal Education, Ayanda Sishi-Wigzell about the long-overdue opening of the Mkhondo Smart School, a project that began in 2019 with a R225 million budget and an 18-month timeline but only opened in 2025 after ballooning to R625 million. Officials cite Covid-19, bad weather, geological complications, subcontractor disputes, and pandemic shutdowns as reasons for the delays and cost overruns. The project stalled in 2021/2022 after funds dried up, and when construction resumed, vandalism had further damaged what was built. Despite the challenges, the school is now ready, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and how to prevent such massive delays in future infrastructure projects.

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