KwaZulu-Natal Portfolio Committee on Public Works chairperson Mbali Frazer has noted the work done by the KwaZulu-Natal  Department of Public Works during her visit to the state-of-the-art JG Zuma High School in Kwa-Mashu in Durban.

Frazer announced that a budget of more than R86-million was set aside for the construction of this state-of-the-art, modern school.

She was accompanied by the KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Human Settlements MEC Jomo Sibiya, who said Frazer’s visit was the opportunity to account for the performance of the department in the province.

There has been a huge outcry over dilapidated schools in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The project scope entails 40 new classrooms, six multi-purpose classrooms and a media centre with a smart board, administration block with 17 offices, six store rooms and a strong room, a kitchen, ablution facilities, a flood wall, a guard house, a retaining wall, a fence and a mini soccer field.

During the visit, Frazer was given assurance that during the project, 23 local youth had been employed through the Expanded Public Works Programme, and that two students who were studying civil engineering at tertiary institutions had been provided with in-service training.

The department has also made sure that three disabled people were employed initially but that one had resigned owing to a better offer elsewhere.

A further ten local young people are receiving extensive training in bricklaying, plumbing, plastering and painting.

A local project steering committee is functioning and involves members of local communities safeguarding the project.