The Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust (KWFCDT), through a partnership agreement with the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) and with support from the Kouga Local Municipality, is proposing to construct a new fee-paying Humansdorp Primary School.
The development will include associated sports fields and facilities in Boskloof, Humansdorp.
The extent of the property is approximately 23ha, of which approximately 6.5ha will be developed for the primary school and associated facilities and infrastructure.
Prince Matonsi, General Manager, KWFCDT, said that at the core of this development is the intentional partnership that has arisen between KWFCDT and the KLM to bring about sustainable and environmentally-friendly developments, which are aimed at uplifting the standard of living and education for local communities.
“The request from ECDOE for a new primary school in Humansdorp provided an essential opportunity for all three partners to undertake a long-lasting and impactful initiative which has multiple outcomes,” said Matonsi.
He said that this project highlights the role of public-private partnerships in improving infrastructure and socio-economic development.
“Extensive time and effort were invested by KWFCDT in developing an alternative school model to existing public schools,” said Matonsi.
“This then informed the position that the proposed school development would require a minimum of 6ha to allow for the full development of the new model, which seeks to be a benchmark for all primary schools in the circuit.”
Given that the South African Vegetation Map (Mucina et al., 2006-2024) lists the site as being partially located on Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld (HSR), Matonsi said that the KWFCDT commissioned extensive specialist studies to understand and mitigate all relevant biodiversity issues.
Such specialist studies included aquatic biodiversity compliance, heritage impact assessment, palaeontological assessment, socio-economic assessment, terrestrial biodiversity site sensitivity assessment, and visual impact assessment.
In addition to this, a specialist botanical study was conducted to verify the extent of degradation and rehabilitation potential of the areas classified as moderately and heavily degraded Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld.
A botanical offset/set-aside plan was also developed, emanating from the recommendations of the specialist botanical study to explore offset/set-aside compensation options.
Matonsi said that based on all these extensive studies, it became clear that there were many areas heavily infested with alien and invasive species.
These areas were therefore available and appropriate for the school development.
He said that based on the findings of the site sensitivity assessment (CES, 2024), the property was classified in terms of “Preferred Development Areas”, “Infrastructure with restoration mitigation”, and “Avoid Development”.
Matonsi said that, further to this, a botanical offset plan was developed and highlighted key benefits that would be favourable for the HSR should the project be undertaken.
On balance, this would ensure that the remaining area adjacent to the development would be restored and integrated into the school’s conservation and environmental protection efforts.
“Given the extensive resources that would be required by KLM and its residents for restoration efforts, the bold move to anchor these restorative efforts around a catalytic school project became a top priority for all partners, which in the future will ensure sustainable restoration and protection of the HSR in the Boskloof area. The KLM would thus be able to redirect the scarce resources to other much-needed service delivery issues,” said Matonsi.
Sandile Zamisa, ECDOE Humansdorp CMC Head, welcomed the initiative as a game changer for the crowded public primary schools in the circuit.
“The existing schools’ infrastructure in the circuit was built approximately 30 years ago to cater for fewer learners than most of the schools currently have enrolled. This is placing a huge strain on the learning and teaching environment. This initiative must therefore be supported and embraced fully by the Humansdorp communities.”
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said that the integration of environmental restoration with much-needed infrastructure development, such as the proposed Humansdorp Primary School in Boskloof, is a bold and progressive step towards sustainable community upliftment.
“This initiative exemplifies the power of partnerships – where government, the private sector, and civil society come together to deliver real impact,” said Bornman.
“The Kouga Local Municipality is proud to support this project, not only because it addresses educational needs, but also because it safeguards and rehabilitates our region’s unique biodiversity, such as the Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld. By aligning development with ecological stewardship, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient, educated, and environmentally-conscious future for Kouga.”
Moreover, Bornman said that the project has the potential to create valuable employment opportunities for local residents and stimulate economic growth in Humansdorp through job creation in both the construction and environmental sectors.
Nadia Mjwara, Community Liaison Coordinator, KWFCDT, said that through its role in the establishment of this primary school, the KWFCDT is demonstrating its commitment to the continuation of its efforts to build resilient, sustainable, empowered, and upwardly mobile communities.
The overarching objectives of these interventions are aligned with the Trust’s Theory of Change (TOC) strategic intent to decongest existing primary schools, develop a public primary school, shape the model of curriculum implementation, create a benchmark school of excellence, and ensure medium-term self-sustainability.
“Significant progress has been made, with major milestones achieved in the pre-construction phase,” said Mjwara.
“This includes approval of the traffic congestion mitigation plan by the Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport and the Kouga Local Municipality in compliance with the applicable legislation in terms of the Traffic Impact Assessment.”
