The Mandela School of Science and Technology, in Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, opened its doors for 420 learners in grades 8, 9 and 10 last month and expects to reach its full capacity of 700 learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12 by 2016.

The school, which was officially opened by President Jacob Zuma and is the first high school in the area, cost R100-million to develop.

“Now youngsters here can have a high school education and remain in a nurturing environment with their families and the community,” says Mvezo Traditional Council head Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela.

A three-tiered partnership between engineering solutions company Siemens, the Mvezo Development Trust and the Department of Basic Education made the construction of the school possible. Mandela says excellence underpinned the project from the outset and that, once construction had started in October last year, the partners fulfilled their responsibilities on time and remained accountable.

Siemens South Africa CEO Siegmar Proebstl points out that he is aware that big challenges remain in the Eastern Cape with regard to education. “This is beginning to change, but business must be more aggressive in addressing the skills dearth in science and engineering. The Mandela School of Science and Technology shows what can be achieved when business, government and communities work together in an organised way.

“A total of 160 community members worked tirelessly to ensure that the school would be ready for classes in 2014. Many of these people are parents who have built the school for their children and grandchildren,” he says.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga notes that her department successfully fulfilled its mandate to recruit teachers, engage with feeder schools in the area, select and register learners, equip the school and deliver furniture and textbooks before its official opening.

“The first test of the success of the Mandela School of Science and Technology will be at the end of 2016, when the first cohort of Grade 12 learners write their matric examinations,” says Motshekga.

The school motto – Education is Freedom – was developed by the people of Mvezo, who were inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Many of the community members employed on the project are now skilled labourers. Building materials were sourced locally to support local enterprises and to ensure that materials will be available in the future. Small businesses are being set up to provide supplies and services for the school.

The new high school has already had a positive effect on primary schools in the area. Roadshows were held at 22 schools last year to provide accurate information for learners, parents and teachers about the Mandela School of Science & Technology.

“Learners in our feeder schools here want to achieve the minimum entry requirements of the new high school,” she explains.

Meanwhile, the two primary schools in Mvezo have merged, with resources being consolidated to deliver a better primary school offering.

Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Mandla Makupula says the new high school represents another step forward in strengthening the high school offering in the region and she welcomes the involvement of business in facilitating this trend.