Many of our schools are in a dilapidated condition, as reported in The Herald.

However, I must advise my campaigning colleagues not to despair, as there are many opportunities presented in the form of unused government buildings which have fallen victim to vandals.

It is my view that some of the unused structures can serve to address some of the shortcomings expressed in the article.

Remember also that bureaucratic paper-shuffling is often to blame for the shortage of funding for the renovation and construction of much-needed school buildings.

One would have expected that the quoted unit of special programmes would seize the opportunity by disallowing the ongoing dismantling of eZincedeni and similar buildings, and rather engage in the deployment of the ever willing volunteers in an "official dismantling" of these buildings if they are not wanted.

The  building  material could then be re-used to augment the refurbishment of identified needy schools.

Similarly, housing departments can also re-use some of these  building  materials by providing for the victims of floods, wind and fire.

This genuine and realistic input should not be misconstrued as meaning that our needy African people are deserving of second-hand material.

But under the circumstances of delayed action and, frequently, failure to take responsibility, the option remains a viable one.

The Herald