Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, reaffirmed her commitment to eradicating pit toilets. The Minister addressed South Africans, and the community of Ozwathini in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in particular, as she handed over upgraded ablution facilities to Deda Primary School on the eve of World Toilet Day, observed on 19 November 2024. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson, CEO of Breadline Africa, Ms Marion Wagner and Deda Primary School Principal, Mr Emmanuel Dlamini were in attendance.

“I am deeply committed to closing all pit toilets in our schools and ensuring that every learner and educator has access to safe, dignified sanitation facilities. This is not just a priority for me; it is a moral obligation for the country. We owe it to our children to create a learning environment that respects and protects them. No child should face such indignity or danger in the very place meant to nurture their growth and potential. By 31 March 2025, all remaining pit toilets in schools across the country must be eradicated”.

Minister Gwarube added that, “the removal of unsafe and undignified toilets from this school is about more than just compliance with infrastructure goals. It is about showing the learners of Deda Primary School and other schools in the country that we care about their health, their safety, and their dignity. It is about recognising that sanitation is a fundamental part of a quality education. A school cannot be a place of learning and growth if children feel unsafe, humiliated, or neglected. Ensuring dignified sanitation is not an optional component of the education system; it is a fundamental right and an essential part of creating an environment where young people can learn and thrive.

World Toilet Day is a reminder of the global commitment to ensure that every individual has access to safe and dignified sanitation. The United Nations General Assembly established World Toilet Day to emphasize the vital role that sanitation plays in human health, dignity, and development. South Africa is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

“Infrastructure Implementing Agents and their contractors are essential players in this mission, but they require active oversight and accountability. To this end, I have put in place rigorous monitoring and evaluation system to track progress, identify challenges, and address them in real time. I have made it a point to monitor the work of implementing agents closely. I will conduct regular site visits, meet with implementing agents, and review project timelines to ensure that all parties involved are held to the highest standards of accountability. Where we find delays or deviations from the plan, we will act decisively to get projects back on track. The right to sanitation is the right to health, dignity, and education. It is the right of every child to feel safe and respected in their school environment. By working together, we can turn the page on the tragic legacy of pit toilets and create a future where every learner has the support they need to succeed,” the Minister concluded.