Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Ohlange High School in Inanda, north of Durban, on Friday, 23 October 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving education and expanding opportunities for young South Africans. The visit highlighted the school’s historic significance, including its founding by Dr John Langalibalele Dube and Nelson Mandela’s first democratic vote cast there in 1994.
During his address, Mashatile announced that the government plans to invest approximately R137.9 million in infrastructure upgrades at Ohlange High School. These improvements will include new classrooms, workshops, enhanced sanitation facilities, digital learning resources, improved security, sports facilities, and sustainable energy solutions designed to support a modern learning environment.
“These improvements will strengthen teaching and learning, ensuring that Ohlange remains a centre of excellence that empowers young people to realise their potential and make a meaningful contribution to our nation,” Mashatile said in his speech published by the Presidency.
The Deputy President emphasised the broader government agenda to improve access to quality education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities for South Africa’s youth. The future of South Africa depends on investing in its young people,” he said at the historic Ohlange Institute, where a wreath-laying ceremony honoured Dr Dube’s legacy.
He encouraged learners directly: “The next chapter of our country’s story is waiting to be written, and many of the people who will write it are sitting in this very amphitheatre today. Dream big. Work hard. Believe in yourselves. And never forget that your future is brighter than you may sometimes imagine.”
Government sources, including SAnews, the official Government of South Africa website, and the Presidency, confirm the visit and the announced investment. However, details regarding the timeline for construction, contractor appointments, and final budget approvals remain unverified at this stage. The R137.9 million figure represents a planned government allocation rather than completed or ongoing works.
Ohlange High School holds national resonance as the first school established by a Black South African and as a site deeply linked to the country’s liberation history. This visit underscores the government’s view of education as a critical pillar for social transformation and economic empowerment on the Cape Flats and beyond.
Further updates on the implementation of the infrastructure project and its impact on students and staff at Ohlange High School are awaited. CapeFlats.co.za will monitor developments and provide detailed coverage as new information becomes available.