Tlakgameng Village, Kagisano-Molopo — In a significant milestone for education in the North West, MEC for Education, Ntsetsao Viola Motsumi, officially handed over the newly completed Tlakgameng Primary School to the local community on Monday. The handover marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to improve access to quality education in the rural village of Tlakgameng, falling under the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality.

The state-of-the-art school — built at a cost of R69.8 million — now stands as a symbol of hope and progress for the village. Construction began on 25 January 2021, when the contractor was formally introduced, and after more than three years, the dream of a modern school facility has been realised.

The upgraded school boasts 21 classrooms, 3 Grade R classrooms, a fully equipped science laboratory, a computer lab, a nutrition centre with dining hall, combi courts for netball and soccer, and a high-security perimeter fence. This infrastructure is designed not only to enhance learning but also to provide a safe, stimulating environment for holistic child development.

The school is non-fee paying and currently accommodates 603 learners, supported by 17 educators, 1 education assistant (EA), 1 admin assistant (AA), and 3 dedicated food handlers under the National School Nutrition Programme. For 2025, the Grade R enrolment stands at 78 learners, with 24 applications already received for 2026.

The school is dedicated to the memory and work of late Gordon Kegakilwe, a respected leader in the North West Province and public servant whose legacy in education and community development continues to inspire. His commitment to bringing meaningful change to historically marginalised communities is embodied in this new institution.

MEC Motsumi: “This School Belongs to the Community”

In her keynote address, MEC Motsumi urged the Tlakgameng community to take ownership and pride in the school.

“Tlakgameng Primary School is an investment in the future of our children. It is now the responsibility of the community to protect and maintain this facility so that generations to come may benefit,” she said.

She applauded the local leadership, parents, and school governing body for their patience and active involvement in the project and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to leaving no learner behind.

The opening of the new Tlakgameng Primary School marks a new era for learners in the area — one where rural development, quality education, and community empowerment are not just promises, but visible, tangible realities.

-The VIP Team

-NW Education 

Advertisement: