A new bridge in Mpumalanga means that children will be able to attend school in all weather.
NOMSA SHONGWE reports
THE recent floods in Mpumalanga cut at least 1 200 children off from their school when a stream they can usually walk across flooded its banks.
Children from Mandlesive High School live in Msogwaba tribal trust near Nelspruit but have to travel about 10km to nearby Daantjie tribal trust where they use the facilities of a primary school in the afternoons.
The Nelspruit city council announced this week, however, that construction had begun on a R3,5 million bridge that buses will be able to cross in all sorts of weather.
“We are happy they’re building a bridge because when the river is full we have to stay at home because it is dangerous to cross when the water is overflowing,” said one pupil, Florence Nkosi, 18.
Construction on the bridge began in October last year after the community raised the matter with Nelspruit mayor, Isaiah Khoza. Construction is expected to be completed in June.
— African Eye News Service, January 24, 2000.