Elomo Primary School principal Samkelisiwe Dlamini

Uthishomkhulu wese-Elomo Primary School uSamkelisiwe Dlamini

Sanitation rights become reality for Elomo Primary School learners

The dignity of over 122 learners and their teachers at the Elomo Primary School has been upheld through ZAC’s intervention to build new toilet facilities for the school. The school serves the Elomo area in Mahlabathini, which falls under ZAC’s host communities. Before ZAC’s intervention, teachers and learners had to use mobile toilets which they received in 2020 from government. Prior to that, the school had no ablution facilities. In search of a solution, the school’s principal Samkelisiwe Dlamini approached ZAC for assistance.

“Our school is in a deep rural area which means we are always in need of support so we can continue serving the community. I do not know how to describe the joy we felt after ZAC accepted our application for a donation,” says Dlamini.

Through its Social and Labour Plan projects, ZAC supports the development of its host communities, focusing on education, infrastructure, and skills training. Induna Zwane, described the project as a source of relief. “We welcome this development because our teachers and learners will benefit from a healthier environment,” Zwane says.

ZAC Mine Manager Sipho Valoi pointed out that Elomo is a strategic school because it is easily accessible for local children, ensuring that they do not have to travel long distances to attend lessons. “As a caring colliery, the plight of staff and learners at Elomo touched our hearts. We believe these toilets will improve the schooling experience for the learners and ensure that they can enjoy the right to basic sanitation,” Valoi concludes.

Selifezekile nase-Elomo Primary ilungelo lokuba nendawo yokuzikhulula

Sebezohlonipheka abafundi abangaphezu kuka-122 nothisha esikoleni samabanga phansi i-Elomo Primary emva kokungenelela kwe-ZAC ebakhele izindlu zokuzikhulula. Lesi sikole sisendaweni yase-Elomo, eMahlabathini, okungeminye yemiphakathi okwakhe kuyo iZAC. Ngaphambi kokungenelela kwe-ZAC othisha nabafundi bebesebenzisa izindlu zokuzikhulula ezingomahambanendlwana ababewathole kuhulumeni ngo-2020. Ngaphambi kwalokho, lesi sikole besingenazo izindlu zokuzikhulula. Uthishomkhulu Samkelisiwe Dlamini ucele usizo kwi-ZAC ngoba ezama ukuthola isisombululo.

“Isikole sethu sisemajukujukwini nokusho ukuthi sihlale sidinga ukusekwa ukuze sikwazi ukuqhubeka nokusiza umphakathi. Angikwazi ukuchaza indlela esajabula ngayo emva kokuthi i-ZAC yamukele isicelo sethu somnikelo,” kusho Dlamini. Ngohlelo lwayo uHlelo lweZenhlalo noMsebenzi, iZAC ithuthukisa imiphakathi eyakhele kuyo kanti igxila kwezemfundo, ingqalasizinda namakhono. Induna uZwane ithe lo msebenzi uzobasiza. “Siyayamukela le ntuthuko ngoba othisha nabantwana bethu bazohlomula ngendawo enempilo,” uZwane.

IMenenja yase-ZAC uSipho Valoi uthe i-Elomo yisikole esihleleke kahle ngoba izingane zendawo zifinyelela kalula kuso okuqinisekisa ukuthi azihambi amabanga amade ukuyofunda. “Siyimayini yamalahle enozwelo, usizi lwabasebenzi nabafundi base-Elomo lwasithinta. Sikholwa ukuthi lezi zindlu zokuzikhulula zizophucula indlela abafunda ngayo ukuze nabo balithokozele leli lungelo lokuba nendawo yokuzikhulula efanele,” uValoi.