KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has made a clarion call for more businesses to partner with government in ensuring the roll-out of infrastructure to rural and township communities.
Premier Dube-Ncube made the appeal during the launch of an innovative project at Zwelibanzi High School in Umlazi which is aimed at assisting disadvantaged schools have uninterrupted water supply.
The project is spearheaded by Diageo South Africa, the leading alcohol manufacturer, which has partnered with a non-government organisation, Triple-P to repair and maintain water infrastructure in 17 schools in Umlazi, KwaMakhutha and Isiphingo.
“Today we are celebrating a milestone of the partnership with Diageo South Africa which will see repair of water leakages and sanitation in schools, thus ensuring constant and uninterrupted water supply to township and rural schools. It is difficult to recover lost learning and teaching time due to water shortages and interruptions. As we commend Diageo South Africa for this commitment which clearly projects them as a responsible corporate citizen of South Africa, not only in words, but in deeds. It is our wish that other businesses follow in their footsteps, by uplifting the communities with whom they do business,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
Highlighting the success of the project, Premier Dube-Ncube said it has resulted in the saving of 14 million litres of potable water per year, which is about 800 000 litres of water that would have been lost per school per year due to water leakages.
The Premier said research findings about water wastage through leakages, paint a bleak and alarming picture in South Africa. Water leaks are responsible for 37% of potable water loss in the country and eThekwini Municipality has recorded losses of at least 50% of its potable water due to leaks.
“Schools in underserved communities are the most affected by water leaks and the severe water loss increases the schools’ water bills which most schools cannot afford. This project of fixing water has provided employment opportunities to qualified and experienced unemployed plumbers, including providing skills development and training. We urge community members to desist from destroying water infrastructure because it impacts negatively on the provision of service delivery. Those who vandalise school infrastructure must be reported to authorities so that they can face the full might of the law,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
The Premier said the project comes at a time when KwaZulu-Natal is in high spirits after attaining an excellent 83% overall pass in the National Senior Certificate examinations, claiming the coveted third spot nationally and first spot as most improved province.
“Zwelibanzi High School contributed with a pass rate of 84.9%. We are also encouraged by the excellent results the school has produced particularly in Mathematics and Physical Science. We congratulate the teachers, learners, parents and all other stakeholders who ensured the success of our learners. Despite facing hurdles like Covid-19, the devastating floods and the prolonged power outages, the people of our province have proven their resilience,” concluded Premier Dube-Ncube.
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Issued by the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal