21 Jun 2021

Sanitation, alongside clean water and hand washing facilities are crucial in ensuring healthy environment for all, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.

 Speaking during  handing over of rest-rooms and change-rooms at Rakops recently, the Vice President said it was time to tackle challenges of sanitation so as to achieve Sustainable Development Goal six, which called for water and sanitation for all by 2030. 

Such efforts, he said, would help curb the spread of deadly and infectious diseases such as Cholera and COVID-19. 

The donations of rest rooms and change rooms to Rakops Village Development Committee by Fair Price (PTY) Ltd, he said was commendable gesture and would help passengers on transit to have access to safe rest rooms, clean water and change rooms. 

He said COVID-19 had demonstrated the importance of sanitation, hygiene and access to water for prevention and containing of diseases. 

He commended Rakops VDC’s  leadership for identifying critical needs of the area and requesting financial assistance from Fair Price to construct pay toilets and change rooms. 

He noted that the restrooms were located at a place always crowded with people from different places, which was an ideal area for business. 

He applauded Fair Price for contributing towards the project valued at P50 000, saying they sacrificed their resources during the most challenging time. 

Mr Tsogwane implored all to treasure the project and ensure it was well secured from vandalism. 

He further encouraged the public to continue observing COVID-19 protocols to protect themselves from the pandemic, which continued to claim lives across the globe. 

He noted that protecting the public was not the responsibility  of government alone. 

Mr Tsogwane expressed concern that some members of the public failed to obey COVID-19 protocols and traveled outside curfew time. 

He stated that failure to comply would compel police to apply stringent measures. 

The VP further  urged all to take vaccine when their turn comes. 

Fair Price Manager Mr Eddie Mdluli said they saw it fit to play a role in ensuring public health was upheld by building rest rooms for passengers on transit. 

He said it was unhygienic in the way people had been relieving themselves in the area. Ends