Learners at two Rustenburg secondary schools begin 2025 with considerably more dignity
Sun City built new ablution facilities for Itumeleng Secondary School and Tswaidi Secondary School
CAPTION: The new ablution facilities at Itumeleng Secondary School
When learners at Itumeleng Secondary School and Tswaidi Secondary School in Ledig, Rustenburg, returned for the new school year in January it was not only to fresh and exciting curricula but to the unveiling of their new ablution facilities which address the basic human need and right for hygienic amenities.
“In 2023, Sun City did a site visit to Itumeleng Secondary School and Tswaidi Secondary School and identified a critical need for improved ablution facilities at these schools,” said Sun City’s SED and Community Engagement Manager Tebogo Mokgejane.
Both schools experience high learner numbers every year, leading to insufficient toilet facilities which impacts hygiene, health, and the overall learning environment. Due to financial limitations, neither of these public schools could afford to construct additional ablution facilities because they are a no-fee-paying schools and based in one of the local disadvantaged villages in the area.
“As part of our commitment to improving education and community development, in 2024 Sun City allocated funds to build modern, durable, and hygienic ablution facilities for both schools, a female and a male block per school,” said Mokgejane.
The building of the facilities carried out by local women-owned business and construction was completed in November 2024. Both school ablution facilities are fitted with basins, mirrors, five toilets and three urinals in the male section, and seven toilets for the females, plus a paraplegic toilet.
Sun City officially handed over the ablution blocks to the principals of Itumeleng and Tswaidi through ribbon cutting ceremonies on Thursday, 6 February 2025; the programme commenced at Itumeleng Secondary School, then proceeded to Tswaidi Secondary School.
CAPTION (above and below): Ribbon cutting ceremony at Itumeleng Secondary School with dignitaries that included the Department of Education, ward councillors and Sun City management and staff. Mr Johannes Semenya, Principal of Itumeleng Secondary school washing his hands in a new basin.
Various stakeholders who assisted in ensuring the project was successful, such as the Department of Education, the contractor, learners’ parents, and ward councillors were in attendance, as were the school authorities and governing bodies, and community members, whose role is to ensure the facilities meet their specific needs and requirements and are well-maintained over time.
Criteria to be met include ensuring adequate sanitation that aligns with the Department of Education’s health and safety standards; to provide access to clean and functional sanitation facilities; and to ensure the facilities are sufficient to accommodate the current and projected number of learners in both schools.
“I would like to thank everyone—Sun City, the learners, teachers, and the SGB—because the ablution facilities have remained in the same excellent condition since last November,” said Itumeleng Secondary School principal, Mr Johannes Semenya. “We, as a school, promise no graffiti and no vandalism. We are committed to raising the bar, aiming for a 99-100% pass rate, and surpassing the 90.34% achieved by the Kopano circuit group in 2024. Our theme is ‘Together We Rise’.”
The Sun City SED team also handed a total of 40 pairs of school shoes to the two schools, for the disadvantaged learners. Representing Sun City at the event on 6 February were Julius Ramotse, general manager: hospitality (who did the handover of the ablution system).
CAPTION (left to right): Tebogo Mokgejane, Sun City’s SED and Community Engagement Manager sharing Sun City’s socio-economic development commitment to its surrounding communities
Also in attendance were Ipotseng Moerane, Department of Education circuit manager; the principals of Itumeleng and Tswaidi Secondary Schools, Johannes Semenya and Steven Sepadi; SGB Member, Tumelo Ncandela, and 50 learners from Itumeleng and Tswaidi Secondary Schools.
Ward councillors Aobakwe Sebalo, Peter Radikeledi, Mpho Raboroko were present as well as representatives from the Tribal Office Thandi Moate and Mary Diale, and CPKM CEO Charlotte Mosito
CAPTION (left to right): Thandi Moate, Mary Diale (representatives from the Bakubung Tribal Office); Tebogo Mokgejane, Sun City’s SED and Community Engagement Manager; Mrs Ipotseng Moerane, Kopano Curcuit Manager – Department of Education; Mr Steven Sepadi, Principal at Tswaidi Secondary School; Mr Johannes Semenya, Principal of Itumeleng Secondary School; Cllr Mpho Raboroko; and Cllr Aobakwe Sebalo