The Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust, in collaboration with the Kouga Local Municipality and the Department of Basic Education – Kouga District, has committed to investing over R7 million towards an initiative to mitigate against the impact of water shortages due to drought in the region.
According to the Kouga municipal manager, Charl du Plessis, several schools in the district were high water users for a variety of reasons, including broken infrastructure, leaks, and aging water systems.
“A priority for the municipality was to reduce this high usage and allow the water to be redirected to other parts of the community,” said du Plessis.
He said after extensive consultations the three partners appointed a service provider with a track record of providing water and sanitation solutions in several schools across South Africa.
The multi-million rand water and sanitisation project is aimed at saving water and upgrading the dilapidated ablution facilities at the schools in the communities of Kwanomzamo, Kruisfontein, Arcadia and Oyster Bay.
General Manager of the Trust, Prince Matonsi, said that they were very excited about the solution-oriented intervention that will see over 116 ablutions retrofitted in schools with water saving flushing systems, and new infrastructure built where necessary.
Matonsi said that a partnership meeting was held in March with the benefiting school principals, SGB representatives, ward councillors, Kouga Municipality, and the District Department of Basic Education, together with the service provider, Enviromould, which has a significant Eastern Cape footprint.
As part of phase one of the project, which was launched in March this year, he said that Kruisfontein Primary, St Patricks Primary, Sandwater Primary and Lungiso High were retrofitted with modern ablution facilities.
Matonsi said that phase two of the project, which was launched on May 2, will target Mzingisi Primary, Graslaagte Primary and Humansdorp High at an additional investment of R4.2 million.
“The solution will have a massive impact on water consumption levels, but also in restoring the dignity of our learners through the provision of modern toilet facilities and sanitation bins at identified schools,” said Matonsi. “Skills transfer and also job creation are critical deliverables in this project for the Trust.”
Matonsi said that the engagement showcased the product experience, the scope of work, the commencement and completion date of this project per site. Enviromould was identified as a leader in the field of sanitation solutions, focusing on water saving.
He further said that a key highlight was that local skills drawn from the four communities would be used throughout the project, under the specialist supervision of Enviromould.
In addition, local labour will be trained in the maintenance of the system, while the school will also get a toolkit to allow the trained personnel to maintain the facilities.
Matonsi said that the initiative integrated water back-up solutions to the main system through the installation of several 2 700l water tanks, and the estimated savings in water by schools at completion of the project stands at approximately 50 000 litres a day.
He said that the direct beneficiaries of the upgrade in ablution facilities are estimated at 7 500 learners.
“The impact of this project is huge and appreciated by the municipality, as it will allow water to be diverted to other areas where water is needed.
“We encourage more stakeholders to offer more community-focused interventions like this,” said du Plessis.
Garth Jacobs from the Kouga Department of Basic Education submitted a letter of appreciation and acceptance of the programme.
“We are committed to ensuring that the new infrastructure will be maintained, and sanitary services sustained within all the schools will be supported,” said Jacobs.
– ISSUED BY KOUGA WINDFARM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST
