Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality communities pledges for an improved water conservation and hygienic practices
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in collaboration with Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and its Local Municipalities, JB Marks Local Municipality, City of Matlosana, Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Department of Education, Itireleng Zezeleni Community Based Organisation and Midvaal Water Company participated in a three-day Public Education and Awareness Programme from the 21-23 February 2024, spreading water conservation messages and good health and hygiene messages to communities.
The public education and awareness programme initiated by DWS in 2009 have been receiving positive response in the North West Province and it has mobilised action and change of behaviour towards wise water use and good hygienic practices.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana, Cllr James Tsolela also supported the initiative and motivated Inyathela Primary School learners to start practising water conservation methods and good health and hygiene. As children are the future of this country, the mayor emphasised that learners should incorporate all water conservation methods acquired from the Department of Water and Sanitation and report water leaks to their teachers and parents, use a cup when drinking water, close taps when not in use, harvest rainwater and among other measures, use buckets when cleaning cars instead of a hosepipe.
With an increased rate of vandalism of the water infrastructure in the North West municipalities, councillor of ward 16 in JB Marks Local Municipality, Tshepiso Moalusi encouraged Tlokwe high school learners to teach their communities to conserve water and to protect their water infrastructure against vandalism.
The campaign further proceeded to Fikadibeng Primary School, kilometres away from Potchefstroom. The emphasis was on the demonstration on the seven steps on hand washing, and the demonstration enlightened school learners on proper way of washing hands with soap and water.
“The practice of using one bucket to wash hands is unhygienic especially in funerals as germs are easily transferred from one person to the other hence people always experience runny stomachs after funerals. Most people blame the meat they ate whereas it’s the virus from the contaminated shared water”, Ntja said at Terminus taxi rank in Klerksdorp.
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Wisane Mavasa
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