Media Advisory
10 September 2021
Minister Pandor to officially hand over the newly renovated Science Lab and the library to Siqongweni High School at Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg – 11 September 2021 at 09h00
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will officially hand over a newly refurbished Science Laboratory and the library to Siqongweni High School at Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg.
The Science Laboratory has been renovated with the help of Huawei South Africa to a tune of about R 500 000. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) renovated and equipped the library.
In January 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by the then Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Matsekga visited Siqongweni High after it had registered impressive matric results consistently over time.
In 2018, the school achieved an impressive 84 per cent pass rate in Grade 12.
In other year’s, the school achieved between 83 and 95 per cent, despite lacking basic infrastructures such as science and computer laboratories and the library.
President Ramaphosa undertook to assist the school with a computer laboratory, while Ministers were asked to assist with the science laboratory and the library.
Through the help of Huawei South Africa and the Department of Basic Education, the school now boasts a newly renovated science laboratory and a fully equipped library. A Computer library, donated to the School in 2019 by a Pietermaritzburg based business, Aberdare Cables, was recently broken into. Fortunately, with the help of the police, almost all the computers and other equipment stolen was recovered.
Among the dignitaries to join Minister Pandor are the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Kwazi Mshengu; Huawei South Africa CEO, Mr Spawn Fan; Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Chen Xiadong; Members of the School Governing Body; Principal of the Siqongweni School, Mr Dlamini and the teachers.
Siqongweni Senior Secondary School is one of the best performing township schools in Pietermaritzburg.
Media are invites as follows:
Date: Saturday, 11 September 2021
Event: Official handover of newly renovated Science Lab and Library
Time: 09h00
Venue: Siqongweni High School, No. 297 Phezulu Road, Imbali Unit 13, Pietermaritzburg
Enquiries: Lunga Ngqengelele – MLO – Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation – 082 566 0446
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
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0084