Following a report by OurHealth in February about the disgraceful state of toilets at Matavhela Secondary School, new toilets are in the process of being built.

In April, materials were brought to the school for the new toilets to be built.

“We are grateful that the government is giving us enough toilets for all the learners to use. Matavhela secondary is now having proper toilets so we are no longer going to hear cases of learners getting hurt in the bushes while using them as toilets,” said Mukovhe Nefolovhodwe a learner at the school.

“We thank OurHealth for being around and being able to get us help with the situation and may they keep up the good work and help with other situations,” she added.

“Now that the new toilets are being built at our school, the pupils will no longer use bushes so we are no longer going to fear for their health,” said a teacher who  asked to be anonymous.

“The old toilets were destroyed and the holes were filled up with stones and sand. We don’t have to fear for our health because there will no longer be worms coming out of the toilet to the kitchen or classes,” he added.

“We are grateful that our crisis was heard and taken into consideration. We are giving our thanks to OurHealth reporter for reporting on our situation because now we are getting new toilets at our school,” said a 17-year-old boy in Grade 11 who also wanted to remain anonymous.

“OurHealth has helped us a lot regarding the toilet issue at our school. We are very grateful to have such people who are helping the communities to get help with their problems,” said Humbulani Madiba, a cleaner at Matavhela.

“We are really looking forward to using the new toilets. We cannot wait to use them. The government have heard our problems and decided to help us with new toilets.”

As the new toilets are not yet finished OurHealth was told to come back to take photographs when they are finished

Suprise Nemalale is an Ourhealth citizen journalist reporting from the Vhembe health district in Limpopo.