Ohlange Institute Restoration Gets Boost as Public Works Launches Special Team

Macpherson emphasised that the restoration of the institute is not merely a construction project, but a national legacy initiative.

In a decisive move to rescue one of South Africa’s most historically significant educational institutions from further neglect, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the establishment of a Special Technical Construction Team to accelerate the completion of the Ohlange Institute restoration project. The announcement was made on Monday following the Minister’s visit to the site in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, accompanied by members of Dr John Langalibalele Dube’s family, as well as prominent provincial and local leaders.

The visit included KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Whip Mzamo Billy, who joined Macpherson in reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring the legacy of Dr Dube, the first President of the African National Congress and a pioneering educator.

Ohlange Institute: A Symbol of South Africa's Democratic Journey

Founded in 1901 by Dr John Dube and his wife Nokutela Dube, the Ohlange Institute holds deep historical significance. It was at this institution that former President Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, symbolising the culmination of a long struggle for freedom and justice.

Despite its legacy, the school has suffered years of neglect. Though over R33 million has been invested in its restoration since 2012, delays and mismanagement have left large parts of the project incomplete, with visible signs of decay on the campus.

Minister Macpherson addressed these concerns head-on, vowing that the era of abandoned and half-finished public infrastructure projects is coming to an end.

“The era of half-completed Public Works and Infrastructure projects across South Africa is coming to an end. In its place, we are introducing urgency, transparency and accountability to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget,” Macpherson said.

New Construction Team to Deliver Action Plan Within Two Months

To reverse the decline of the Ohlange Institute and restore it to its former glory, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will work closely with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to form a Special Technical Construction Team. This team will be tasked with delivering a comprehensive action plan within two months, outlining how the project can be fast-tracked to completion.

Macpherson emphasised that the restoration of the institute is not merely a construction project, but a national legacy initiative.

“This is about more than just buildings — it is about preserving the soul of our democratic history. The completion of the Ohlange Institute is part of ensuring that public assets contribute to the public good, instead of becoming eyesores in the communities where they are located,” he said.

Collaborative Efforts with Provincial and Local Leadership

The Minister's visit and announcement were strongly supported by provincial and local authorities. MEC Khawula and Mayor Xaba both stressed the cultural and educational importance of the institution, and pledged their departments’ support in ensuring that the new plan is effectively implemented.

Mayor Xaba noted that the restoration of the Ohlange Institute also holds economic potential for the surrounding community, including opportunities for job creation and tourism linked to South Africa’s liberation heritage.

Legacy Restoration and National Rebuilding

This initiative forms part of a broader departmental push to rebuild trust in public infrastructure delivery. Minister Macpherson, who has made performance and delivery central to his tenure, has increasingly emphasised the need to hold contractors and implementing agents accountable and to deliver on the promises made to communities.

“It is through this culture of excellence that we are building a better department, and indeed, a better South Africa,” Macpherson concluded.

The revitalisation of the Ohlange Institute represents a critical test for the Department’s new performance-driven approach, as it seeks to restore both physical infrastructure and public confidence in government’s ability to honour its heritage and invest in future generations.