On September 27th, triple-P hosted the 2023 Water for Tomorrow Awards in conjunction with Diageo. The awards acknowledge schools for improving water-use efficiency and showcasing their innovation in practical water solutions.
This year the participating schools were from the Umlazi township, where we have been working to support 15 schools by repairing their ablution facilities and upgrading their water infrastructure to prevent persistent water leaks.
The impact of this work is significant and has resulted in:
- 1 016 Toilets, taps, pipes fixed/replaced
- 10 668 million litres of drinking water saved
- 17 244 beneficiaries supported
- 6 jobs created
During the event held at the Umlazi D Community Hall, the following awards were presented:
- THE WASH AWARD for the school that takes pride in ensuring its learners have access to hygienic facilities awarded to Sandakahle Primary School
- THE IMPACTFUL WATER MESSAGE – The school that has designed the best waterwise poster in terms of the design and the message it carried awarded to Menzi High School
- BEST INNOVATION FOR WATER – The school that has developed the most practical and applicable solution for its water problem awarded to Umgijimi Primary School
- WATER CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS – The school with the least water leaks at project inception awarded to Menzi High School
- WATER-WISE AWARD – The school with the most water tanks for harvesting and using rainwater awarded to Qhilika High School
- SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDS – Awarded to the principal or educator who shows leadership in addressing water issues at their school and cooperating with the project to ensure its success awarded to Mr N.G Zwane Zimisele Primary School.
Participating schools who were all acknowledged with certificates included:
- Cwebezela Primary School
- Embonini Primary School
- Inselele Primary School
- Qhilika High School
- Isidingo Primary School
- Menzi High School
- Ngilosi Primary School
- Sandakahle Primary School
- Sishosonke High School
- Umgijimi Primary School
- Umlazi Commercial High School
- Zimisele Primary School
- Zwelesithembiso Primary School
- Zewlwthu High School
- Zwelibanzi High School
View the SABC TV video of the award ceremony
How Did The Water For Tomorrow Project Start?
Poor sanitation and hygiene are key drivers of absenteeism and illnesses of learners at school – particularly girls! To mitigate these challenges, restore the dignity of learners, and save potable water, triple-P has partnered with Diageo in the Water For Tomorrow Project.
The project has now completed its second phase, with a focus on schools in Umlazi Township. With the involvement of partner corporation Diageo, our aim was to support 15 schools by repairing their ablution facilities and upgrading their water infrastructure to prevent persistent water leaks.
Not only are these numbers a success for the schools and the Umlazi community, but for Diageo too, who has set water replenishment goals in the greater Umgeni Catchment area in which they operate.
These numbers were achieved through project activities that focused on:
- Maintenance of the water infrastructure to save water and improve sanitation and hygiene.
- Education and awareness to enhance behaviour towards water efficiency.
- Partnering with eThekwini Municipality to enhance the hygiene of ablution facilities through an informative workshop for school principals and janitors.
- Training and skills development of the janitors
- Community awareness to curb vandalism of school water infrastructure.