Sewage spills continue to affect Sizwe Secondary learners

Persistent sewage spillages onto the Elandsfontein Sizwe Secondary School grounds continue to affect learners.

The situation was first brought to the attention of Germiston City News in June 2022.

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) spokesperson Zweli Dlamini then said that the sewage has been affecting the school for the past three years – with no solution.

He then added that there was a problem with the electricity supply to the Hattingh Street sewer pump station because of illegal power connections to the mini substation supplying the pump station.

Since then, several stakeholders have been engaged, and an environmental health inspector visited the school on July 25.

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This was after this paper reported on the matter and sent inquiries to the CoE.

Fast forward to 2024, the problems faced by the school have worsened.

Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro said to address these problems that are fuelling the school’s troubles, more governmental departments must step in.

“My throat itched when I left the school after a few hours on a recent visit, and the next day I had trouble breathing. Just think of what the learners endure every day.

“The illegal dump outside the school is continuing, worsening the wetland.

“That section’s entire sewerage system has failed, and the wetland is completely submerged under water,” said Guerreiro.

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“The informal settlement is growing. A syndicate is rumoured to be selling stands for between R13 000 and R15 000. Hattigh Street and the surrounding sewerage system have collapsed.

“To reach the opposite side, learners must avoid the mud and water, and use stones as a skipping bridge.”

According to Guerreiro, the CoE must rehabilitate the wetland and do re-blocking at the eMabhondeni informal settlement.

“People regularly burn things at the dump site. The smoke from these activities impacts the school, nearby households, and the manufacturing plant. We also have people stealing power and water,” said Guerreiro.

The School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson Morekwa Kenny Phogole said teaching and learning are affected by the sewage problems.

“A new SGB is about to be elected, and we believe it will keep this topic a top priority. Through regular meetings with parents, they stay informed about the difficulties the school is facing.

“We received a 71% pass rate last year, which was 3% less than the year before. The impacts of Covid-19 are still evident in our educational system, and the sewage challenges in our school do not improve matters.

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“Learners with sinusitis and asthma are having it worse; others have experienced coughing and other symptoms,” said Phogole.

“The sewerage system at our school has collapsed. The city frequently arrives to unblock, but only after a few days, the problems continue.

“The restrooms for women belonging to Grades Eight and Nine are affected too. The learners have chosen to use the toilets in the main building,” said Phogole.

Phogole said on the bright side the school received new classrooms last year and the school roofing is being refurbished.

Deputy principal Sy Moila said they started to experience sewage problems soon after the eMabondeni informal settlement was formed.

He said the school used to take great pride in participating and excelling in sports.

“We have halted all our athletic, artistic, and cultural activities since the sewage. We were left with no option since sewage water flooded our sports fields. Our boys had practice fields for soccer, and our girls had netball,“ said Moila.

“We used to compete with Thembisa schools and consistently outperformed them. The school was home to Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana skipper Thabo Matlaba.”

According to Moila, the school was founded in Thembisa and moved to Elandsfontein in 1993 and he has been with the school since.

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“Thembisa and the neighbouring areas continue to be served by the school. Nonetheless, the living conditions at the school interfere with the teaching and learning. We once had to cancel all Grade 8 and 9 classes and release the learners from class.

“Teachers and learners have suffered because of the situation’s health effects. If learners are dismissed early from school, because of unforeseen circumstances, we need to make up those missed classes, which may include weekend sessions.

“District offices, provincial, national, and the City of Ekurhuleni have all been informed about the situation,” said Moila.