Learners cheer for new loos

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The problem had been ongoing since 2012, according to one student who added that pupils had discussed going on strike to demand boarding fees be refunded.

In August, OurHealth reported on the conditions of toilets at the Thengwe Secondary School, where boarders claimed they had endured years of overflowing toilets that sent dirty water into hallways and rooms. The problem had been going on since at least 2012, according to one student who asked to remain anonymous.

Now, learners say they are happy to report the problem has been solved.

“We are very happy and excited that our problem has been solved,” said Mulalo Ratshilingana, who added that owner Nndanduleni Ramaliba had kept his promise to repair the toilets following OurHealth’s visit.

“Two months ago, we could not spend the week without the toilets becoming blocked,” Ratshilingana said. “Some of us even thought of leaving the boarding house to go look for another with better conditions”.

One student who asked to remain anonymous said pupils had even discussed going on strike and demanding refunds.

Ramaliba said he was glad to have fixed the problem – and keep his students.

“It was about to turn into a disaster and I was going to loose my residents,” he said. “I knew it was not good for their health to have waste from toilets flooding in front of their rooms so I tried my level best to fix the pipes.”