Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka this morning visited schools in the deeply rural municipality of uMzimkhulu under the Harry Gwala District where he assessed the rollout of water and Covid-19 compliance following the opening of schools that took place yesterday.
Last month the department of Cogta deployed 22 additional water tankers to Water Service Authorities across the province in efforts to beef up their capacity to deliver water to communities and schools.
In his visit to Emaus High School, Emaus Junior Secondary and Mzokhanyo JSS, Hlomuka was accompanied by members of the Provincial Legislature; Hon T.V Xulu, Hon M.J Mazibuko and the Mayor of the District Cllr Nxumalo. The delegation met with the principals and members of the School Governing Body as part of the assessment of the functionality of the schools and their readiness to commence with teaching.
In these engagements, MEC Hlomuka urged the management of the schools to ensure that they liaise with the District Municipality to ensure that static tanks located at the schools are filled with water regularly.
The department of Cogta has been instrumental in facilitating engagements between the department of education and municipalities to ensure that schools across the province have adequate water as the province and country battle against the spread of Covid-19.