R198 million to build a school for Rivoni, but still they have to wait

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27-03-2026
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Limpopo Mirror
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Construction of the Rivoni School for the Blind has stalled for five years, leaving visually impaired students in poor conditions as the R198 million project deteriorates.

A wall at the unfinished Rivoni School for the Blind has collapsed after recent heavy rains, raising concerns about the condition of the structures. Photo: Thembi Siaga.

New contractor sought for Rivoni as learners endure poor conditions

Five years after construction began on the Rivoni School for the Blind, the R198 million project has stalled, with no contractor on site and buildings already showing signs of deterioration.

The school, being built at Njakanjaka village, is intended to accommodate visually impaired learners currently housed in prefabricated classrooms and dormitories. The project is implemented by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on behalf of the Limpopo Department of Education.

Last year, the IDT said the project was 86% complete, while the department put it at 93%. Despite this, a 10 December completion deadline was missed, and work has since come to a standstill.

The school has 146 learners from Grade R to Grade 12, many of whom now stay in poor conditions, with holes in the dormitories’ floors. They are also reliant on mobile toilets. With winter approaching, concerns are growing about their living and learning environment.

Workers and security staff say they have not been paid for more than a year. Recent heavy rains have worsened conditions at the site, including the collapse of a wall that damaged part of a roof. Roofing sheets are leaking, wooden materials are decaying, and some structures are under pressure from soil erosion due to their position against a steep embankment.

At the unfinished eye clinic, the foundation remains incomplete, with exposed steel reinforcement bars already rusting. Cement left on site has hardened after being exposed to rain.

During a recent visit, large parts of the site were waterlogged, with stagnant water around several buildings raising concerns about drainage and long-term damage. Inside, the school remains incomplete, with empty corridors, unattended materials and visible water damage. Vegetation growing around the buildings points to prolonged inactivity.

Members of the project steering committee have warned that some structures may no longer be safe. “The situation is worrying. Electricity cables have already been stolen, and doors could be next. The buildings are deteriorating before use, while learners remain in dilapidated mobile classrooms. The Department of Education and the IDT are not taking the children’s situation seriously,” said committee member Joshua Chavalala.

He added that they hope the project will be completed before winter, as the mobile classrooms are too cold for learners.

The director of Adonai Security Company, who asked not to be named, said the contractor owes her more than R500,000, leaving her unable to pay workers. “The workers still want their money from me. I tried to pay them using my own money, but after many months I could not continue because I was also not paid,” she said.

The IDT said the contract of Clear Choice Builders (CCB), which was awarded the R168 million tender, was terminated due to breach of contract and non-performance. It is now in the process of procuring a replacement contractor.

IDT Chief Executive Officer Sfiso Nsibande said the project is 86% complete based on the original scope, excluding additions such as the eye clinic. “The remaining work includes completing the eye clinic, remedial works necessitated by weather exposure, external works, and other finishes,” he said.

The IDT confirmed that there is currently no contractor on site. An official notice of termination was issued on 4 November 2025, but a replacement has not yet been appointed. The agency said infrastructure affected by weather exposure includes doors, windows, retaining walls and ceilings, and that repair costs will be determined during the new tender process. It added that it has no reports of vandalism or cable theft.

However, community members say electricity cables have already been stolen, raising concerns about site security and oversight.

Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa said the project is on hold while administrative processes are under way to appoint a new contractor. “A revised completion date will only be determined once a new contractor is appointed. The main cause of delays was the contractor being placed under business rescue, which affected progress,” he said.

Five years after construction began on the Rivoni School for the Blind, the R198 million project has stalled, with no contractor on site and buildings already showing signs of deterioration.

The school, being built at Njakanjaka village, is intended to accommodate visually impaired learners currently housed in prefabricated classrooms and dormitories. The project is implemented by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on behalf of the Limpopo Department of Education.

Last year, the IDT said the project was 86% complete, while the department put it at 93%. Despite this, a 10 December completion deadline was missed, and work has since come to a standstill.

The school has 146 learners from Grade R to Grade 12, many of whom now stay in poor conditions, with holes in the dormitories’ floors. They are also reliant on mobile toilets. With winter approaching, concerns are growing about their living and learning environment.

Workers and security staff say they have not been paid for more than a year. Recent heavy rains have worsened conditions at the site, including the collapse of a wall that damaged part of a roof. Roofing sheets are leaking, wooden materials are decaying, and some structures are under pressure from soil erosion due to their position against a steep embankment.

At the unfinished eye clinic, the foundation remains incomplete, with exposed steel reinforcement bars already rusting. Cement left on site has hardened after being exposed to rain.

During a recent visit, large parts of the site were waterlogged, with stagnant water around several buildings raising concerns about drainage and long-term damage. Inside, the school remains incomplete, with empty corridors, unattended materials and visible water damage. Vegetation growing around the buildings points to prolonged inactivity.

Members of the project steering committee have warned that some structures may no longer be safe. “The situation is worrying. Electricity cables have already been stolen, and doors could be next. The buildings are deteriorating before use, while learners remain in dilapidated mobile classrooms. The Department of Education and the IDT are not taking the children’s situation seriously,” said committee member Joshua Chavalala.

He added that they hope the project will be completed before winter, as the mobile classrooms are too cold for learners.

The director of Adonai Security Company, who asked not to be named, said the contractor owes her more than R500,000, leaving her unable to pay workers. “The workers still want their money from me. I tried to pay them using my own money, but after many months I could not continue because I was also not paid,” she said.

The IDT said the contract of Clear Choice Builders (CCB), which was awarded the R168 million tender, was terminated due to breach of contract and non-performance. It is now in the process of procuring a replacement contractor.

IDT Chief Executive Officer Sfiso Nsibande said the project is 86% complete based on the original scope, excluding additions such as the eye clinic. “The remaining work includes completing the eye clinic, remedial works necessitated by weather exposure, external works, and other finishes,” he said.

The IDT confirmed that there is currently no contractor on site. An official notice of termination was issued on 4 November 2025, but a replacement has not yet been appointed. The agency said infrastructure affected by weather exposure includes doors, windows, retaining walls and ceilings, and that repair costs will be determined during the new tender process. It added that it has no reports of vandalism or cable theft.

However, community members say electricity cables have already been stolen, raising concerns about site security and oversight.

Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa said the project is on hold while administrative processes are under way to appoint a new contractor. “A revised completion date will only be determined once a new contractor is appointed. The main cause of delays was the contractor being placed under business rescue, which affected progress,” he said.

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Unpaid workers, stolen materials derail R168-million Rivoni project