DWS conducts water conservation and safe sanitation hygiene campaigns in three Gauteng municipalities.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Gauteng has conducted a three-day Public Education program in the province’s three municipalities to educate communities about water conservation, and health and hygiene practices.
The programme is a collaborative between the Department of Water and Sanitation and Departments of Basic Education and Health, Rand Water, Friends of Toloane Community Forum, Etwatwa Water and Sanitation Community Forum, and the Cities of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg.
The activations began at Modiselle Primary School, where DWS officials engaged with students and educators to emphasize the importance of water conservation and healthy lifestyles. The programme then moved to the Usave Shopping Centre in Ga-Rankuwa, City of Tshwane, where members of the public learned about water-saving techniques and hygiene practices.
On the second day of the activations, the DWS team and partners continued their efforts at Drake Kota Primary School and then moved to the Kaalfontein Local Taxi Rank in Midrand, City of Johannesburg, where commuters and taxi operators were educated on the importance of water conservation and proper hygiene.
The final day of the activations took place at Dan Pharasi Primary School, where students and educators were further educated on water conservation and health and hygiene practices. The programme then concluded at the local taxi rank in Las Vegas taxi rank, City of Ekurhuleni, where the DWS team engaged with commuters and taxi operators to increase awareness and promote responsible water usage and hygiene.
The decision to conduct this Public Education programme was influenced by the global Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of proper hand washing as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus and other communicable diseases. In response to this, the DWS collaborated with various departments and stakeholders to educate Gauteng residents on water conservation, good hygiene practices, and healthy lifestyles.
With South Africa being a water scarce country, communities need to understand the importance of using this precious resource efficiently to ensure its sustainable use. The DWS has therefore taken the information to schools, shopping centers, and taxi ranks, to reach a wide range of individuals, to ensure that there is maximum impact in creating awareness.
DWS’s Rhee Mabena from Water Use Efficiency Directorate shared valuable water-saving tips with the audience. He has highlighted the importance of efficient ways to wash hands and provided insights on how to take a proper bath or shower without wasting water.
In addition to water-saving tips, the school learners were informed about Water and Sanitation Education Programme which is also a partnership programme with Department of Basic Education.
The programme aims to educate learners about water use efficiency, protection of water resources, health and hygiene, as well as how to identify and remove invasive alien plants in our water resources. The learners participate in water and sanitation competitions and successful learners are offered bursaries to pursue careers in the water and sanitation sector.
For more information contact:
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
