State-of-the-art public school in South Africa standing completely empty 8 months after opening
A new, state-of-the-art primary school designed to serve over 1,100 students in Hammanskraal is still standing empty, despite opening at the end of 2025.
The facility, Ratanang Primary School in the Kanana area north of Pretoria, was completed as part of the Gauteng Department of Education’s push to deliver future-ready learning spaces.
Kanana is a densely populated community within the City of Tshwane where ongoing housing and infrastructure developments have increased demand for schooling.
Months after completion, no pupils have been able to enter the classrooms.
At the start of the year, the City of Tshwane’s MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning said that several key compliance certificates required by national legislation remained outstanding before the building could legally be occupied.
These included inspection reports and compliance certificates from health, fire and environmental management authorities, a Form 4 certificate, an electrical certificate of compliance, engineers’ certificates and a fire certificate.
This drew criticism from several stakeholders, including the Freedom Front Plus, who noted that the delays were unacceptable and pointed to a serious lack of cooperation between different spheres of government.
Following this, the outstanding compliance certificates with the National Building Regulations and the Building Standards Act were completed. However, the school still stands empty.
A representative of the Freedom Front Plus told BusinessTech that the party had been under the impression that all outstanding matters were resolved.
However, upon our enquiry, the party followed up with the Gauteng Department of Education.
According to the Department, the occupancy certificate has not been issued yet because the property has not been transferred from the City of Tshwane to the Department, which means the school remains vacant.
In a statement at the end of 2025, the department described the school as a flagship example of modern public education infrastructure.
It includes 28 classrooms, computer labs and fully digitised teaching environments, sports facilities and learner-friendly combicourts.
Children’s right to education facilities should not be delayed by bureaucratic red tape
It also has a multifunctional hall with stage lighting and a PA system, a tuckshop and nutrition centre, and a dedicated Early Childhood Development section with five Grade R classrooms and their own ablutions.
Supporting infrastructure was also built into the project, including a backup generator, a water pump for shortages and fire readiness, CCTV surveillance, an intercom and alarm systems.
According to the department, the campus was designed to provide “safe, dignified and future-focused learning” and to ensure township learners have access to facilities aligned with a rapidly digitising education system.
The department added that the school reflected the provincial government’s vision of quality and inclusive schooling.
The Freedom Front Plus previously argued that pupils’ right to safe and suitable education facilities should not be delayed by bureaucratic red tape.
The party warned that the situation may indicate a broader trend and said it would continue to press the municipality to ensure that the relevant departments fulfil their duties and ensure occupation.
BusinessTech reached out to the Gauteng Department of Education and the City of Tshwane for an updated timeline for when the issues would be resolved or when learners would finally be able to attend the school.
The GDE and the city did not respond by the time of publication. However, their response will be added once any comments have been received.
Ratanang Primary School standing empty – Photos
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