Making a difference one drop at a time

Fraser Alexander, a trusted mining services partner, in a response to the need for clean drinking water in rural communities, recently partnered with Hall Core Water (HWC), which offers all-encompassing water solutions specifically designed to address the water crisis in rural schools, with the plan to implement a water project under the HCW Future Water programme.

The goal of the project was for Fraser Alexander to plough back into the communities in which they operate, yet again demonstrating their commitment to caring for the communities they serve and in line with their value of Care.

HCW identified Seritarita Secondary School, located at Zwartfontein in Mapela, which currently has 870 learners, as a school that is in urgent need of assistance in terms of water and sanitation.

The school is located within the same community as the Anglo American Platinum Mogalakwena operation.

Seritarita Secondary School relied solely on one dysfunctional borehole for water, supplemented by water tankers.

Infrastructure was minimal, with only five taps linked to the malfunctioning borehole.

The school had 16 pit toilets, all connected to one water tank, which was also used for washing hands. The student ratio per toilet was not hygienic resulting in blocked ablution facilities.

Despite having sufficient space, the school lacked sufficient water and infrastructure to maintain a sports field or vegetable garden.

Fraser Alexander‘s contribution to Seritarita Secondary School has brought about significant positive changes.

The water supply system installed has the capacity to supply more than 600 000 litres per month. This far exceeds the school’s current requirements. The water complies with S.A.N.S 241-1:2015 drinking water standards and is laboratory tested monthly to ensure compliance. The infrastructure is maintained by HCW. Since the intervention, Seritarita Secondary School has seen a rise in attendance and improved academic performance among its students.

The school governing body chairperson, Moses Langa, noted the school’s appreciation for Fraser Alexander’s contribution and interventions on the water situation.

“Your donation allows us to continue the work we are doing in the rural communities,” said Langa, and added that the beneficiaries of the donation are from historically disadvantaged communities. He thanked Fraser Alexander for the part that they played.

Learners at Seritarita expressed relief at having fresh water and said the intervention inspired them to be more positive in terms of attending school and furthering their education.

Fraser Alexander’s social investment in Seritarita Secondary School has left an indelible mark, igniting hope and encouraging progress in the hearts of students and the community alike.

Neo Baloyi, a 2023 matriculant who achieved second place overall in Limpopo in the final exams, noted that reliable water supply at school assists learners to concentrate better, especially on hot summer days.

Neo is grateful for the water intervention and will be pursuing her dreams of becoming a dentist through her studies at Sefako Makgatho University in Limpopo.

“Their contribution surely benefitted me and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”