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.

 

702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station.

Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day 

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Bongani speaks to Lindi Masina, Mpumalanga&rsquo;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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702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station.
Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day&nbsp;
Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa&nbsp;
Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: <a href="https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj">https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj</a>&nbsp;
For more from the show go to <a href="https://buff.ly/36edSLV">https://buff.ly/36edSLV</a> or find all the catch-up podcasts here <a href="https://buff.ly/zEcM35T">https://buff.ly/zEcM35T</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters <a href="https://buff.ly/v5mfetc">https://buff.ly/v5mfetc</a>&nbsp;
Follow us on social media:&nbsp; &nbsp; 702 on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702">https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702</a>&nbsp;
702 on TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702">https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702</a>&nbsp;
702 on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/">https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/</a>&nbsp; 702 on X: <a href="https://x.com/Radio702">https://x.com/Radio702</a>&nbsp; 702 on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@radio702">https://www.youtube.com/@radio702</a>&nbsp;

Get all the news you need to know each day with Bongani Bingwa’s Breakfast Show. Stay updated on developing stories and hear from the newsmakers making headlines as well as ordinary listeners affected by the stories. 

Get all the news you need to know each day with Bongani Bingwa’s Breakfast Show. Stay updated on developing stories and hear from the newsmakers making headlines as well as ordinary listeners affected by the stories.

The Best of Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa

The highlights from each day's breakfast show with Bongani Bingwa.

Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa

R625 Million Mkhondo School finally opens after years of delays, cost overruns, and corruption Allegations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5dcefa8e-00a9-4595-8ce1-a4ab0080f142/clips/d9fddf00-2372-4e4c-becb-b33a005a345a/transcript