News


Ablution facilities installed at seven KZN and Eastern Cape schools

January 2023 News


Arveen Ramdhani.

Educators and learners at seven schools in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape now have access to improved ablution facilities, thanks to the efforts of Toyota Material Handling, a division of CFAO Equipment South Africa, in collaboration with the Department of Education and EnviroSan Sanitation Solutions.

This came about following research by the Department of Education which suggests that as many as 3898 schools in South Africa, mainly in rural areas, still use pit latrines, which can place users at risk of contracting life-threatening infections and viruses, amongst other risks.

Arveen Ramdhani, head of human capital at CFAO Equipment South Africa, says that by replacing pit latrines with proper toilet facilities at the schools, the company provides a safer and more hygienic environment for educators and children: “The initiative promotes greater human dignity and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for access to water and sanitation for all.”

Toyota Material Handling believes that learners require access to clean and safe water, as well as properly functioning ablution facilities, to reach their full potential. “With the assistance of local casual labourers, each school was fitted with new toilets, including the addition of Jojo tanks,” adds Ramdhani. Each tank can facilitate 25 000 hand washes before requiring a water top-up. The tanks were installed as a backup for the schools to address possible water shortages.

Furthermore, Toyota Material Handling has ensured that each facility is well maintained by signing a service agreement with the Department of Education, whereby a dedicated caretaker has been appointed to oversee all maintenance activities. “We take pleasure in putting others first to allow them to perform to the best of their abilities. As a business, our diversity and agility allow us to tackle any challenges that arise, including implementing solutions that will better the lives of learners who could potentially be our leaders of tomorrow.

“Since 2018, we have provided six schools – four in the Eastern Cape and two in KwaZulu-Natal – with proper sanitation infrastructure, and are in the process of duplicating these endeavours at another school in KZN in the coming year. Collectively, more than 1500 students and teachers have been positively impacted by these projects.

“Our sponsorship of sanitation facilities to schools in need is not a once-off activity, but part of our mandate to give back to the communities we operate in, creating entrepreneurial opportunities in the construction of the facilities, and ensuring that the activities we initiate are meaningful and sustainable,” concludes Ramdhani.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
100 years of safety leadership
News
DEKRA Industrial and its adult-based education and occupational skills training division, the Institute of Learning (IOL) will showcase a milestone at A-OSH 2025, as the company celebrates DEKRA Global’s 100 years of safety leadership.

Read more...
Drakenstein Municipality aces Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Impact Award
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Drakenstein Municipality in the Western Cape has won a Sustainability Impact Award for Schneider Electric’s Anglophone Africa region, shining the spotlight on its unwavering commitment to sustainable leadership and its forward-thinking approach to ensuring a sustainable future for its coming generations.

Read more...
LH Marthinusen launches new industrial fan manufacturing and services factory
News
LH Marthinusen has launched its new industrial fan manufacturing and services factory in Ekurhuleni. THis is a major milestone for South African energy infrastructure growth.

Read more...
Comtest calibration user group seminar
Comtest News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.

Read more...
Functional safety explained
News
The SAIMC supports Pepperl+Fuchs, a National Member, in a free four-part online seminar series focused on Functional Safety.

Read more...
The future of manufacturing in Africa
News
The future and development of African manufacturing will be discussed extensively at the upcoming Manufacturing Indaba conference, to be hosted on 15 to 16 July 2025 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.

Read more...
Hot topics at IFAT Africa and analytica Lab Africa 2025
News
Burning issues such as climate-smart infrastructure, sustainability in waste and water management, the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility will come under discussion at the three-day conference and forum presented by analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg from 8 to 10 July 2025.

Read more...
RS South Africa showcases industrial solutions at MTE Phalaborwa
News
RS South Africa recently showcased its latest industrial and electronic solutions at the Mining and Technical Exhibition in Phalaborwa in Limpopo.

Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions appoints Joshua Low as commercial director for Africa
News
Specialised Exhibitions has appointed Joshua Low as commercial director for Africa. This strategic addition to the leadership team comes as Specialised Exhibitions embarks on an ambitious phase of growth across the African continent.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved