Charity builds new classrooms in Helderberg region

International charity organisation Mellon Educate celebrated major progress on its construction projects to build new classrooms at ACJ Phakade Primary School and Simanyene Secondary School, in Nomzamo.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the high school in the morning and later moved to the primary school on Friday, November 21, where ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held to officially hand over the new classrooms.

This was part of Mellon Educate’s 2025 Building Blitz, which brought together more than 400 volunteers from South Africa, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States to help construct additional learning spaces at these schools from Monday, November 17, according to Babalwa Mpulampula, the director of the organisation in South Africa.

Ms Mpulampula said 11 classrooms were built at ACJ Phakade Primary School, along with a garden, a kitchen, and a covered shelter. At Simanyene Secondary School, 10 classrooms, a new ablution block, and a kitchen were constructed.

“We are so proud of our international volunteers because this is their way of giving back to the communities of South Africa, especially those in need. This is them building stronger communities,” she said.

ACJ Phakade acting principal, Mandisa Lehoke, said the new facilities would benefit Grade R children, pupils with learning barriers, and efforts to improve literacy at the school.

She added that local community leader, Simthembile Mfecane, played a key role in connecting the school to the charity organisation.

Mr Mfecane said: “Last year, Mellon came to our community and rebuilt two schools. As community leaders of the area we saw an opportunity and approached them and asked if they could build extra schools in our area. They said they don’t have a problem as long as the schools agree with it.”

He said they then engaged with the management of ACJ Phakade Primary School, and the project was initiated after the school decided to seize the opportunity.

Simanyene Secondary School principal, Monwabisi Matshoba, said the new classrooms and facilities would help the school manage the growing number of pupils. He said they planned to reserve the newly built classrooms for the Grade 12 class.

“We currently have two kitchens. The one shared by Grades 10, 11, and 12 is often overcrowded, and learners sometimes finish eating after the break has ended. Having a separate kitchen for Grade 12s will allow them to eat and return to class on time,” he said.

He added that the school expects a large matric class next year, as the number of Grade 11 pupils has grown significantly this year.

Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, also visited ACJ Phakade during the handover.

“More importantly, Mellon Educate is investing in improving reading skills for all learners and helping the Western Cape government achieve its goal of ensuring that every child can read for meaning by the age of 10. That is where the real legacy is felt,” he said.

Construction is still being finalised at both schools, but the new classrooms are expected to be ready for pupils in January.