Emafini Primary School in New Brighton is the 50th school to receive a comprehensive water harvesting system from the Woolies Water Fund, helping them become water secure.
The water harvesting system consists of two 10 000l water tanks, gutters on the roof to channel the rain water into the tanks, a filtration system and large pump so that the water can be used for drinking, sanitation and cooking, as well as a communal handwashing station to ensure that learners can follow COVID-19 protocols and wash their hands frequently.
Rainwater harvesting from roofs is a highly effective strategy for improved water management and reducing pressure on municipal water supplies. It also means that learners will, most likely, not be sent home if there are any water cuts, which causes unnecessary interruptions to their schooling.
Since its inception three years ago, the Woolies Water Fund, a partnership between Woolworths and the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet fund-raising programme, has spent more than R3 million on improving water security and sanitation in 50 schools across four water-stressed provinces.
The fund also recently announced in National Water Week the allocation of an additional R1 million to continue creating a better water future for all.
“We are delighted to have reached this 50th milestone and thank all our supporters who have nominated the Woolies Water Fund as their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiary. Thirty of the 50 schools, where we have installed water harvesting and sanitation systems, are based in the Eastern Cape. We have focused most of efforts in the Eastern Cape, due to the province’s ongoing drought, which has resulted in ongoing water outages. Our vision is for all schools to have sustainable access to clean, fresh water,” said Thando Tladi, Woolworths’ education programme national manager.
Nomava Mgebuza, deputy principal at Emafini Primary School, commented, “Many thanks to the Woolies Water Fund; this water harvesting system will rescue the school during times of need and will also demonstrate to our learners the importance of preserving and saving water for future use.”
- Water-wise South Africans can join Woolworths by signing up for the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet Programme and nominating the Woolies Water Fund as one of their three beneficiaries. Every time a supporter shops at Woolworths or other partner retailers, their free card is swiped at till points or online checkouts and a percentage is donated to the Woolies Water Fund by the retailer, at no cost to the customer.
To sign up go to www.myschool.co.za, download the MySchool app, call 086 010 0445, email cs@myschool.co.za or SMS water to 31231.
