Vella Nyoni
LIMPOPO – Learners from the Klass Mothapo Secondary School are all smiles after the sod turning ceremony recently to upgrade sanitation facilities at the school.
This may sound like a small project but the issue of sanitation and water is extremely important. It has been a long journey and there are no shortcuts, said Ishmael Kgetjepe, MEC of Education, at the ceremony.
The groundbreaking marked the start of a construction programme aimed at reducing sanitation challenges in schools in Limpopo. A total of 26 schools around the province will benefit from the sanitation programme.
The department is partnering with Mvula Trust to build modern ablution facilities at schools. The Klass Mothapo Secondary School is to be fitted with 15 new modern toilets as well as a water system.
According to Kgetjepe this project will address the backlog in terms of sanitation in Limpopo. “This project will address some of the challenges schools are experiencing in terms of sanitation. It will only take us about two weeks for the construction at this school.”
Silas Mbedzi, CEO of Mvula Trust, explained why the new facilities are called Enviro Loos. “This is because they are safe for the environment and we can use the excrement for manure.”
The school’s principal, Mphekgoana Makhule Joseph, said this is one of the challenges he faced since he came on board as the head of the school. “I came here in August 2014 and sanitation is one of the things I prioritised – I wanted the government to help us with this issue.
“So I am very happy and honoured that our school has been chosen.”
One of the learners, Betty Sehoana, echoed her fellow learners’ happiness about the new toilets. “The old ones were really not comfortable; they are dilapidated and not safe. The toilet doors also do not close and sometimes you find insects there.”
The department plans to move on to other schools in the Capricorn District in the near future.
The lack of proper sanitation facilities in Limpopo schools came under scrutiny in 2014 after Gr R-learner, Michael Komape from Chebeng Primary School outside Polokwane, died after falling into a pit toilet. After the controversial incident his school had Enviro Loos installed.
Since then the Human Rights Organisation has worked with Michael’s family to sue the Department of Basic Education for R3 million. Papers have already been served to defend the motion at the Polokwane High Court. The case is ongoing.
