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Borehole Project Revives Boitekong II Secondary School
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In South Africa, thousands of learners still attend schools that lack basic water infrastructure. For learners at Boitekong II Secondary School, bringing their own bottle of water to school was a necessity. Without running water, conditions were unhygienic and unsafe. Ablution facilities could not be flushed, regular cleaning wasn’t possible, and learning ended early during the hot summer months.
“I am not only the principal – I am also a community member. Since I started working in this community more than 15 years ago, my vision has been to see transformation in lifestyles and the quality of living,” says Mr Solomon Mathebula, Principal of Boitekong II Secondary School in North West province.
In 2023, during the Motsepe Foundation Roadshow, R320 000 was donated to the school. Roadshows have, since 2016, donated funds to under-resourced schools with high enrolment numbers and educators who are committed to providing quality education despite challenging circumstances. At the school’s request, work began to install boreholes that would pump water into the ablution facilities and other parts of the school.
The school, which educates more than 1,600 learners and employs over 50 educators, has since experienced a transformation in the quality of education provided. Funds that were previously used to purchase bottled water have now been redirected toward teaching and learning resources.
“There is no vandalism, which shows that the community around our school is part of the setup and has taken ownership of this water project,” adds Mr Mathebula.
The local municipality has struggled for years to maintain water infrastructure, resulting in intermittent water supply in the area. During these periods, the borehole has been beneficial. Other schools in the area have taken inspiration from Boitekong II Secondary School, recognising it as a best-practice model and a way forward.
As we head into the summer season, learners’ education will no longer be sacrificed due to a lack of water access. With fewer illnesses and more teaching time, Mr Mathebula is optimistic that the matric pass rate will exceed the 90% achieved in 2024.
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Great initiative, no more absenteeism, and yes water is a human rights issue for all.