Ladysmith KZN: Sanitation facilities brought to high school

uThukela District Municipality, in partnership with the Gift of the Givers, recently handed over complete sanitation facilities and sanitary packs to Nstikayezwe High School in the Ngedlengedleni area (which falls under Alfred Duma Local Municipality).

 

District Mayor Siphiwe  Mazibuko, Deputy Mayor NW Mchunu, Alfred Duma Chief Whip T Njapha and officials were some of the stakeholders who were present to hand over the sanitation facilities.

 

This initiative is aimed at providing decent sanitation to all school-going learners. “Today it is an honour to accept the donation that we receive from our donors. Not all schools receive such a donation; you are among the few that are privileged. Sanitation is dignity and it is one of our core functions as the district. Improved sanitation and hygiene in schools have been linked to improved educational performance and a reduction in absenteeism,” said Mayor Mazibuko.

 

He urged the recipients to ensure that they maintain the facilities in order for them to last longer, and keep them clean at all times. The mayor also encouraged them to protect their school from vandalism. He then thanked the government and private partners for fast-tracking service delivery.

 

By midday, the team was joined by Alfred Duma Mayor Vincent Madlala and Ward Councillor Nkabinde, who proceeded to do an oversight in Uitval Ward 34 and 35. The purpose of these programmes is the monitoring of projects, hearing the needs of the community, and also carrying out the mandate given by the State President that political leaders and officials leave their offices and go to the people to attend to their queries and complaints. This also gives political leaders an insight into issues.

 

“We are grateful that we have found potential boreholes in these areas, as water provision has been a challenge not only in these areas but in others as well. We would like to decrease water challenges in these areas by providing our communities with reliable water sources,” the mayor explained.

 

Addressing the community, the mayor said they know their needs and told them that phase one will be completed in November this year and phase two in June next year, so they will have access to water. He pleaded with the community to be patient.

 

The team also visited Ward 34, where the mayor told the community that they have plans to install hand pumps while still waiting for the project to be completed. The visibility of the mayor and the team was appreciated by the people in the area.