According to the principal of the Qwabi Junior Primary School in the Hara-Nkopane Village, Mankadimeng Msikidi, she feels sorry for the learners and staff as the situation is affecting them all badly. About 240 grade R learners have been registered at the school so far.

Msikidi states that her school’s feeding scheme is experiencing difficulty to cook for the children, who often receive their daily meal at the school. The sanitation is another problem as the children cannot flush the toilets. This might result in health issues as they can also not wash their hands.

She urged the municipality and other stakeholders to assist the school with water.

Her attempts to get hold of the communication manager at Maluti-A-Phofung Water or MAP Water, Mpho Mabena, failed.

Apart from the water crisis, conditions at the school were normal. Grade R learners were welcomed as they started their schooling there this morning. Most of them showed no nervousness. Crying was the last thing they wanted to do.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha