Education
With reference to the planned development of new schools in the province:
(1) With regard to the acquisition of erf 12342 of erf 80 St Helena through a
deed of exchange between the Western Cape Government, represented
by the Department of Infrastructure, and the Saldanha Bay Municipality,
for the purposes of a school, (a) what is the timeline for the development
of the school that is set to be built on the land named in the deed of
exchange, (b) what is the current status of the planning approvals (for
example rezoning and environmental approvals) for the development of
the school, (c) how much is the development of the school set to cost and
(d)(i) what type of school is proposed and (ii) what is the proposed
capacity of the school;
(2) with regard to the rapidly growing Helderberg area, (a) what are the
current plans for new schools in the Helderberg and/or Somerset West area,
(b) what are the details of the schools, (c) how many (i) primary schools
and (ii) high schools are planned, (d) what are the planned locations of
these schools and (e) what are the development timelines?
My department has informed me of the following:
We are aware of the need for additional school places in the West Coast
Education District, as well as in other districts in the province.
(1) (a) Currently there is no budget provision made for the development of
this school over the Medium Term.
(b) The rezoning of the property was approved, making provision for the
possible development of a school. The Department of Infrastructure
(DOI) has requested an extension of the validity of the rezoning.
(c) No budget or cost estimates are yet available.
(d) The type of school and capacity of a possible school would only be
determined when the school is being designed.
(2) (a) The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is currently
planning or developing the following schools in the Helderberg area:
• Lwandle Primary school (Masifunde Primary School)
• Lwandle High School
• Lwandle Pre-Primary School
• Sir Lowrys Pass High School
• Somerset West High School
(b)
• Lwandle Primary school (Masifunde Primary school) is being
completed. The school opened in 2025 as Masifunde Primary
School. The school will consist of 35 classrooms and additional
specialist facilities.
• Lwandle High school is currently under construction. The school
will consist of 30 classrooms and additional specialist facilities.
• Lwandle Pre-Primary School is also under construction and will
consist of 10 classrooms for Grade R and pre-Grade R.
• Sir Lowrys Pass High School is currently under construction and will
consist of 30 classrooms and ancillary facilities.
• Somerset West High School is in planning and is budget
dependent. The plan is to develop a high school on this property
and will consist of 30 classrooms and specialist facilities.
(c) The WCED is proposing to develop 3 high schools, 1 primary school
and 1 pre-primary school.
(d) The schools are planned in the following areas:
• Lwandle Primary school (Masifunde Primary School) is located on
the corner of Onverwacht Road and the N2, in Lwandle.
• Lwandle High School is located on the corner of Onverwacht
Road and the N2, in Lwandle.
• Lwandle Pre-Primary School is located on the corner of
Onverwacht Road and the N2, in Lwandle.
• Sir Lowry’s Pass High School is located on Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, in
Sir Lowry’s Pass.
• Somerset West High School is planned for a property on Steynsrust
Road, Somerset West.
(e) The timelines for the completion of these schools are dependent on
a variety of factors, including weather conditions, the availability of
materials and community stability and support.
