To mark the beginning of the 2026 academic year, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) joined the Eastern Cape provincial government for the official handover of the R52-million Sitoza Senior Secondary School (SSS) in Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape, on January 14.

The ceremony was led by Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade, marking a milestone in rural educational development.

Mabuyane stated that the school is implemented by the best performing special economic zone in the country and expressed hope that the facilities built in these communities would help young people succeed.

The premier further emphasised the importance of providing and maintaining conducive environments for learning and teaching.

Additionally, Gade noted that the province was encouraged by the recent results achieved, highlighting that the Eastern Cape currently produced the highest pass rates in mathematics and physical science.

He emphasised that the Eastern Cape needed a new generation of leaders who would use mathematics not merely as a subject, but as a powerful tool to solve complex societal challenges.

The Sitoza SSS project scope included a science laboratory, multipurpose classroom, media centre, computer room, ten new classrooms, ten renovated classrooms, a dining and nutrition centre, an administration block and an assembly area.

The upgraded facility also features a guard house, refuse room, 22 toilets, 13 rainwater tanks, full electrical installation and new perimeter fencing.

In terms of socioeconomic impact and job creation, six local contractors participated in the project, creating 137 jobs during construction. The project also used locally manufactured building materials.

Sitoza SSS matric learner Siphe Ntshinka expressed his pride in the upgraded facility and the impact it would have on his peers and the local community.

“The new facility is beautiful. The students love it and so do the teachers. The community loves the new school building and having this facility will help us improve our results and keep young people off the streets.”

As an implementing agent for the Eastern Cape Department of Education, Coega says, in a media release, that it successfully delivered this ‘state-of-the-art’ facility to ensure that students in deep rural areas had access to quality infrastructure equivalent to that of urban centres.

Programme director for Coega’s education infrastructure portfolio Thembeka Poswa highlighted the portfolio’s role in enhancing educational outcomes through infrastructure development.

“At Coega, we leverage our project management expertise to deliver modern, safe and sustainable school facilities, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the necessary foundation to participate in the economy.”

Coega said it was committed to working with the Eastern Cape Department of Education and other stakeholders as an implementing agent in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as well as the National Development Plan Vision 2030 and the National Infrastructure Plan 2050.