LIBODE – In a remarkable act of generosity, the esteemed Eastern Cape MEC of Education, Fundile Gade, received a substantial donation of sanitation facilities from the renowned Sibanye Stillwater Mining Company, this significant contribution is destined to make a significant impact on the lives of students in the O.R Tambo District Municipality, as seven schools are to benefit from this noble gesture.
The highly anticipated handover ceremony was held on Thursday, 10 August 2023 at Marubeni Primary School in Libode. This event marked a turning point in the pursuit of education and community development.
In 2019, the National Department of Basic Education investigated schools lacking adequate sanitation facilities, the findings revealed that approximately 6000 schools across the country needed such facilities. To address this issue each province took responsibility for assisting a portion of these schools, with 1 500 schools being allocated to each province. The Eastern Cape province is proud to report that they have already helped 1 034 schools thus far.
“We took a decision to centralize the program so that at least we don’t consume time for the school in purpose as we are approaching trial examinations which is a sensitive time for academic calendar,” MEC of Education in the Eastern Cape Fundile Gade.
Sibanye-Stillwater’s Vice President for Social Sustainability, Sibongile Zikalala and other officials from the government, unions, and community-based organizations also attended to witness this significant donation.
“We are focused on schools that do not have toilets and we were able to build toilets for leaners and for educators,” David Wan Der Westerhuisen Chief Director of infrastructure at department of basic education.
Wan Der Westernhuisen then added that under the Accelerated School Infrastructure Development(ASIDI) Program they focused on schools that have no toilet and on the Sanitation Appropriate For Schols(SAFE) Programme they will start on 3898 schools, and they will be left with 600 schools which will be wrapped up on the budget year.
The schools that will benefit from Sibanye Stillwater Mining’s sponsorship include Dininkosi Primary, Dlukulwana Junior Secondary, and Marubeni Primary in the OR Tambo Coastal area. Additionally, Candulwandle Primary, Mqanduli Primary, and Vulingcobo Primary in the OR Tambo Inland region, along with Ndlantaka Primary in the Alfred Nzo West District, will also receive support.
“We are grateful to the government for building toilets for the schools as we were beginning to be a laughingstock, we plead with the youth that they do not use these toilets as a hiding spot for stealing our livestock,” INkosi yama Ngcolorha, Noma Afrika ‘aah’ Zanozuko Singatha.
Initiatives like these that make a positive impact on the lives of students needs every member to be hands on deck from the government to the last pupil in the community.
“This initiative means that the dignity of the learners from these schools has been restored, and they will walk tall because now they have decent sanitation facilities in their schools,”Nyandeni Local Municipality Mayor Viwe Ndamase.
This donation of sanitation facilities is incredibly important, as it will contribute to providing a clean and safe learning environment for the students attending these schools. It is heartening to see the collaboration between the mining company, government officials, and community organizations in improving educational facilities.
