The construction of a new R168-million facility for the Rivoni School for the Blind in Njakanjaka village, Limpopo, has been plagued by delays, leaving visually impaired learners in dilapidated conditions. Initially slated for completion in June 2024, the project remains incomplete, with a new target date of 10 December 2025.
The contract, awarded to Clear Choice Builders in 2021, was disrupted when the company entered business rescue in 2024 after completing 90% of the work. The new school, designed to accommodate approximately 170 learners, includes modern classrooms, a hostel, a dining hall, a kitchen, staff housing, and other facilities tailored for visually impaired students. However, the project’s high cost and scale have raised questions about its planning and execution.
Currently, the school’s 167 learners, from Grade R to Grade 12, continue to study in crumbling prefab structures with holes in the floors and rely on mobile toilets. Despite these challenges, Rivoni School, one of only six in Limpopo catering to blind and visually impaired learners, has maintained a remarkable 100% matric pass rate in recent years, a testament to its academic excellence.
The Independent Development Trust (IDT), overseeing the project, appointed a new subcontractor in May 2025 to replace Clear Choice Builders. However, recent visits to the site revealed no active workers, a broken perimeter fence, and reports of stolen materials, including 81 zinc sheets and cement used by locals to build personal homes. Workers claim they have not been paid since May 2024, further stalling progress.
IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane stated that meetings were held with workers and subcontractors to address unpaid wages, but he claimed no list of owed amounts was submitted. Contrarily, project steering chairperson Vicky Muvhali insists the list was provided, yet no payments were made. Makgolane could not confirm the total expenditure or whether the theft of materials is under investigation, noting only that audits occur “occasionally.” He declined to provide further details, promising a future media statement.
The Limpopo Department of Basic Education referred all inquiries to the IDT, leaving stakeholders awaiting resolution. The ongoing delays and mismanagement continue to impact the learners, who deserve a safe and modern learning environment.
