The new, permanent ablution facilities will improve health and hygiene standards at the school. The handover forms part of ZAC’s Social and Labour Plan. 

Zululand Anthracite Colliery handed over ablution facilities worth R2.25 million to Kwanyoni Primary on 28 July 2022. The facilities use a dry sanitation system and are suitable for water-scarce areas. Kwanyoni Primary School is a public state primary school located in Ximba Traditional Authority, Ntabankulu Area of Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, about 20 km from ZAC. The institution is classified as a rural education institution by the National Education Infrastructure Management System, and has around 150 learners. 

“We had very old pit toilets which would occasionally overflow, posing risk to the health and safety of learners and staff,” explained Kwanyoni Primary School Principal Busisiwe Mabaso. “We appreciate ZAC’s contribution in making available new toilets to our school. It has substantially improved the status of hygiene and safety for our staff and learners.” 

The facilities consist of three banks of block toilets for male and female teachers. They are user-friendly for people with disabilities, both male and female learners. 

Tsakane Construction & Projects, was the contractor appointed by ZAC to undertake this project. The civil engineering was done by ECA Consulting and a local company, Dibanto General Services, was a subcontractor to the project. Labour, which consisted of eight employees, was sourced from the local community. All sand, stone, cement and blocks were purchased from local suppliers in the Ulundi area. 

ZAC General Manager Wayne Rowe explained where the idea for this project came from: “Local induna Mr T Mhlanzi requested ZAC’s assistance with Kwanyoni Primary School’s ablution facilities because the existing ones were a danger to the lives of learners and educators. We visited the school and assessed the state of ablution facilities. ZAC then made the decision to assist the school and immediately contacted the Department of Education to get permission to build new facilities.” 

ZAC Sustainable Development Manager Khumbulani 'Skorpion' Masuku, added that the company was committed to carrying out such projects, that had long-term benefits for learners and, which ensured that staff and learners could utilise the ablution facilities in dignity.