Staff of Tshimollo primary school and 5 M Foundation and district officials cutting a ribbon photo by Dimakatso Modipa
Mamelod-based charity organisation 5M Foundation has built much-needed toilets at Tshimollo Primary School in Mamelodi West.
This has brought relief to all and sundry, including teachers and learners at the school.
According to 5M Foundation executive member Clive Sebaka, he was touched by the fact that teachers and learners at the school share same toilets and that this not right at all.
“I then discussed this matter with members of our foundation to build toilets for the school,” said Sebaka who also revealed that he was a learner at the school while growing up.
“As the foundation we have realised that there’s lots of projects that the government should be implementing at the school but since the government has failed to deliver such projects, we have taken it upon ourselves to help where we can and we cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the toilets as well as the storeroom that we have also built for the school,” he said.
Staff of Tshimollo primary school and 5 M Foundation and district officials
“What we have done as the foundation shows that we have not thought about ourselves only but have shown the spirit of Ubuntu and considered the plight of the school because we are what we are because of other people,” he said.
Another 5M Foundation executive member Ali Tsaka revealed that 5M Foundation was named after their acquaintance and fellow biker nicknamed 5M died in May 2021 due to a bike accident.
“The Foundation was formed in his memory because he liked people and always helped the community wherever possible,” said Tseka.
He said the Foundation currently has 24 members and anyone who shares the Foundation’s aims and objectives is welcome to join them but must do so with the aim of adding value to the Foundation.
Principal Moeng of Tshimollo primary school inside the newly built toilets
The school’s principal Errence Moeng said the building of the toilets by 5M is a very significant milestone because though the school is 60 years old now, teachers have always been sharing toilets with learners.
“This is a legacy for upcoming generations and we feel blessed indeed,” said Moeng.
He explained that the school was originally designed in an old-fashioned manner 60 years ago compelling teachers to share toilets with learners.
The principal revealed that he has always been concerned by the fact that the toilets were situated some 400 meters away from the school’s premises, which is a bit far.
He said he has been the school’s principal for a year and eight months and has tried without success to get the private sector and the Department of Basic Education to build new toilets for the school.
He said 5M will have an ongoing relationship with the school and will help out wherever possible.
The toilet that staff share with learners at Tshimollo primary school
Basic Education acting Circuit Manager expressed said he was proud about what was done by 5M and added that the new toilets will add to the school’s infrastructure.
One of the teachers at the school Kholofelo Khomo told Tshwane Talks that sharing toilets with learners was a real health hazard and revealed that there was no privacy at all and teachers had to stand guard so as to prevent learners from accessing the toilets when their fellow teachers were relieving themselves.
“Without 5M we would not have built the toilets and I wish they would adopt us as their school and help with future projects,” she said.