R22m project gives school toilets
By: Thabisile Khoza
2013-06-09 17:30
Bushbuckridge - Teachers at Dumisani High School in Cork village near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, now have toilets and a staffroom thanks to an initiative to ensure that national parks support their neighbouring communities.
The school, which borders South Africa's flagship reserve, the Kruger National Park, has been given a R22m administration block.
"We don't know what to say to because they have given us an opportunity to produce better results in our school. We can now work in our own office in our own time," said school principal Winnie Nkuna.
She said previously the school didn't have a staff room or toilets for teachers.
"In some instances educators had to drive to neighbours to relieve themselves but now we have these beautiful toilets for female and male educators and also for learners," she said.
The administration block has five offices, two staffrooms, two restrooms, a kitchen, two storerooms, and one strong room.
The school has 1 375 pupils, 48 teachers, eight support staff and seven kitchen assistants.
Spokesperson for South African National Parks, Reynold Thakhuli said the initiative was part of SANParks efforts to reversing the legacy of the past by addressing some of the community’s material needs.
He added that keeping in line with the United Nations Environment Programme's requirements, SANParks will also host a number of eco-friendly activities this year.
“Our planet’s regenerative capacity is being greatly exceeded as the world’s population is now producing and consuming more resources than ever, there are however many possibilities as for how we can change our unsustainable consumption habits while also improving our quality of life,” he said.
