Rural crèche celebrates new facilities

The Richards Bay Rotary Club held a sod turning ceremony at Sekusilezulu Crèche to mark the start of construction of ablution facilities

January 24, 2017

Conelia Harry 1 minute read

Richards Bay Rotary Club President Louis van Zyl with Sekusilezulu Crèche Principal Zanele Ntibane

MONTHS of hard work in securing almost a million rand donation to erect ablution facilities at a rural school in Mzingazi, have finally paid off.

On Thursday, the Richards Bay Rotary Club held a sod turning ceremony at Sekusilezulu Crèche to mark the start of construction of ablution facilities, as well as the upgrade of lighting and water reticulation systems at the school to the tune of R950 000.

Club President Louis van Zyl said the plight of the crèche was highlighted by their Rotarian Arthur Gray who drove past the school after delivering wheelchairs at the nearby Nazidi centre for the disabled.

‘He saw learners relieving themselves in an open area and he identified the need of hygienic ablution facilities.

‘During the planning stages, the local community were involved from the onset and Principal Zanele Ntibane, the Induna and Paradise Jali from Nazidi Centre offered much assistance,’ said Van Zyl.

‘We are grateful to the Department of Social Development for their enthusiasm and embracing the idea.

‘The planning and application for funding was a long, protracted process and our Rotarian and project leader Chris Valentine, with the team of Terry Chrystal and Willie van der Heever, completed the application and submitted it to the Rotary Foundation through its Global Grant process.

‘And 18 months later we are happy to announce the commencement of the project,’ said Van Zyl.

Principal Ntibane thanked Rotary for their contribution and promised that staff and learners will protect and maintain their new facilities.

Other projects

Standing by one of their mottos, ‘We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others’, Van Zyl said Rotarians have been working in the community for the past 33 years.

‘Our club forms part of Rotary International and this year’s theme is ‘Rotary Serving Humanity.

‘We work hard to bring change to the world and to have as much fun as we can in-between.

‘We work with schools, crèches, elderly homes, orphanages, health in particular with disadvantaged people, children and those living with disabilities.’