The Eastern Cape provincial department of public works and infrastructure (DPWI) will now save more than R3-million on rentals, following the handover of a multi-million Rand office park in Komani on Wednesday, August 18.
This was revealed by DPWI MEC, Babalo Madikizela, after a walkabout of the three-story building. He said an amount of R125 million had been set aside for the project.
“We will be saving more than R3 million per annum on public and private rentals. This money can be used on other developments. We are now left with the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs still sharing with the human settlements department. But I am sure before the end of next year we will be here to hand over their buildings,” Madikizela said.
The Bathandwa Ndondo office complex is situated at the Komani Psychiatric Hospital.
The DPWI said its Chris Hani regional management identified some of the underutilised land to construct government office accommodation. Six departments are currently housed at the complex, including sport, recreation, arts and culture, as well as education.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane said upon asking one of the employees how she felt, the employee had likened the office part to heaven. Manbuyane said the government was pleased to open an office with such an impact on employees. “This is a life changing experience for our employees.
“We ought to give them dignity as the servants of the people. This is the realisation of a one-stop shop model. We must now bring the national departments, such as home affairs and Sassa, so that people don’t travel a lot for services,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Busisiwe Ndondo said the family was pleased by the naming of the complex of the late Bathandwa. She said the family also appreciated the annual memorial lecturers on him.
A quick internet search shows Ndondo was a member of the student representative council at the erstwhile University of Transkei (Unitra). The university has since merged with Border Technikon and Eastern Cape Technikon to form Walter Sisulu University.
The search also reveals Ndondo was suspended from Unitra for his political activities. It further states that he was picked up by security police and was later shot dead. Focussing on renaming buildings after struggle heroes and heroines, Mabuyane said this was part of the provincial heritage route.
“This is in acknowledgement of the sacrifices they made in paving a way for the democracy we all enjoy today. Through these state of the art offices we also hope to reflect their high aspirations towards a better life for all – in particular the vulnerable in society,” Mabuyane said.
