UDM Secretary-General Yongama Zigebe, says that by ensuring that learners and teachers operate in a safe environment, free from the hazards posed by inadequate sanitation, South Africa would be fulfilling its constitutional mandate to provide dignity to the people.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Human Rights Commission in Emalahleni on Thursday, he said: “We call upon all members of society, including parents, educators, and community leaders, to join us in this fight.”
“Together, we can hold our leaders accountable and ensure that our children have the safe, dignified learning environments they deserve. The time for action is now, and we will not rest until every pit latrine is replaced with safe and hygienic facilities,” added Zigebe.
During the budget vote on Monday, the Departments of Basic Education and Infrastructure Development announced collaborative efforts to eradicate pit latrines.
Zigebe welcomed the announcement, saying it marked a crucial step towards improving the learning environment for children across the country.
The UDM secretary-general added that the commitment by the two ministers in the new Administration brought a renewed sense of hope. “However, we urge them to move beyond political rhetoric and deliver on their promises. The eradication of pit latrines is not just a matter of policy but a moral and constitutional obligation.”
Zigebe revealed that his organisation had previously written to Parliamentarians, to prioritise the eradication of pit latrines in rural schools in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West.
“As UDM and Nguvu Change leaders, we have been unwavering in this fight, recognising the profound impact that inadequate sanitation has on the health, safety, and dignity of our children.
“Despite our efforts, the previous administration failed to deliver a promised report to Parliament outlining specific timelines for eliminating these dangerous facilities.
“This failure has left our children exposed to daily risks, turning their learning environments into potential death traps.”
Back in 2018 during his parliamentary address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) plan to eradicate these pit latrines across all schools in the following two years.
However, in the 2019 State of the Nation Address, he reaffirmed the commitment, but increased the implementation period by a year.
It is estimated that there are 4 000 schools with pit latrines, primarily in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
Reports indicate that a total of 61 schools in the Eastern Cape have no toilets at all and 1 585 have pit latrines, while 1 379 pit latrines remained in use at KwaZulu-Natal schools.
The Star