SAFE means safer toilets at schools

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA has called on the private sector to play their part in providing safer sanitation for schools.

The Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative is an answer to an emergency of nearly 4 000 schools with pit latrines. This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who together with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, launched the SAFE initiative, rallying leaders of business to pledge their support towards the eradication of pit latrines in schools.

The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo top the provinces with the highest number of pit latrines or inadequate sanitation facilities.

Reflecting on the tragic deaths of Michael Komape and Lumka Mkhethwa, who died in 2014 and 2018 in a pit toilet accidentally. The President said more needs to be done.

“The utterly tragic and devastating deaths of children so young and so innocent reminds us of the human consequences of service delivery delayed.

“They remind us that we must focus all our attention not on what we have achieved, but on what we haven’t,” said President Ramaphosa.

Recognising that government cannot eradicate pit latrines alone he called on stakeholders from the private sector to join hands with government.

“We are calling on all South Africans, corporates, NGOs and international partners to be part of this ambitious, but necessary, effort to give effect to the fundamental human rights of our learners.”

More than R100 million was raised towards the eradication of pit latrines by businesses such as Avbob, Lonmin and Sasol.

SAnews.gov.za