The Department of Water and Sanitation had a joint visit to the spring water protection site with Mvula Trust, Department of Basic Education in Mpumalanga, Lidwala Consulting Engineers and AGES on Tuesday, 26 May 2015. The project is called ASIDI/MP/1/2013-Water and Sanitation in Mpumalanga in the Gert Sibande District and Mkhondo Local Municipality areas.
The beneficiary visited was the Ntithane Combined School. This school is within the Ntithane community in Piet Retief. Ntithane is one of the six focus areas of the project. The main aim is to provide clean water and proper sanitation facilities in schools which are in deep rural areas.
The event was part of the effort by the Department of Basic Education to bring sanitation to schools. The Department of Water and Sanitation is an active partner in this effort and is therefore actively provides guidance to make sure that water and sanitation services are delivered across all spectrums.
By developing the existing fountain as per the go ahead given by the farm owner where the fountain is located, the school and the community now have access to clean natural water. The fountain has never run dry in 60 years of the farmer being in the area. The projection is that it will sustain the school and the community for the next 60 years and beyond.
Water from the fountain is helping the school with access to clean drinking water. The school also has a rain water harvesting project. Harvested water is used to clean the school, water the school’s vegetable garden and for the washing of hands after using the toilet. This promotes proper hygiene mentality for children at school and motivates them to practice such at home.
As part of the project, the school’s sanitation facilities received a revamp. The old structures which were declared unsafe during the assessment by Lidwala Consulting Engineers were demolished. They were replaced with the modernised Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines (VIPs) blocks.
Protection of natural water resources is a priority for the DWS. Not everyone has access to clean treated water. In the absence of such, natural water sources play a vital role. They also provide for good and equitable sanitation.
For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
