Action is demanded as R89 million hostel remains unused nearly a year after completion

GARIEPDAM – Pressure that the Free State Provincial Government to bring the Oranjekrag Hostel in Gariepdam into operational use has intensified.

This will ensure that learners from rural areas gain access to the much-needed facility. Despite completion on 12 December 2024 at a cost of R89 million by the Free State Department of Education, the 200-bed hostel remains closed nearly 11 months later.

“The DA has repeatedly raised concerns about the inexplicable delay in opening the facility to learners,” says Werner Pretorius – DA Constituency Head Kopanong Local Municipality

Government response and timeline

In a written response to DA questions in the Free State Legislature, the MEC, Dr. M Maboya, stated that the hostel had initially been scheduled to open on 3 July. In his response he outlined the intended operational process, writing that following the official opening, hostel staff would undergo a comprehensive training programme focused on the use and maintenance of newly installed equipment.

“The hostel will begin accommodating learners thereafter, once all operational readiness processes are concluded. Whilst an exact intake date cannot be confirmed at this stage, preparations are well underway to ensure a smooth and timely transition.”

Learner accommodation plans and facility specifications

According to the Department, 133 learners currently housed in existing accommodation will be transferred to the new facility once it becomes operational. These students originate from farm schools that have been closed, highlighting the critical need for alternative accommodation.

The current hostel accommodates 169 learners—92 males and 77 females. The new facility has been designed to provide enhanced capacity for 200 learners, comprising 100 girls and 100 boys.

The new hostel boasts comprehensive amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, dining hall, dedicated laundry facility, and two computer rooms. These features have been incorporated to promote a safe, hygienic, and conducive living and learning environment for learners.

Infrastructure challenges and municipal water crisis

Significant water supply issues have emerged as a major obstacle. The school’s existing borehole has proven either non-functional or insufficient in yield. In response, the Department is installing a new borehole alongside a 60-kilolitre capacity reservoir to ensure reliable water supply for both the school and hostel.

The DA has expressed additional concern regarding water provision, noting that the Kopanong Local Municipality owes millions of rand to the Vaal Central Water Board, leaving the greater Gariepdam area subject to water restrictions.

When questioned about water availability at the hostel, the Department confirmed it is drilling a new borehole to meet both the school’s and hostel’s water requirements.

Operational delays and continued oversight

The Department has cited staffing challenges and employee remuneration issues as primary reasons for the prolonged closure of the multimillion-rand facility. These administrative hurdles have prevented the facility from serving its intended purpose whilst learners continue to face accommodation difficulties.

The DA has committed to continued monitoring of the situation and sustained pressure for the hostel’s opening, ensuring that learners from rural areas can benefit from the new facility and access the quality education it is designed to support.

The party emphasised that the continued closure represents a significant waste of public resources whilst rural learners remain without adequate accommodation, potentially compromising their educational opportunities.