By Nangamso Mabindla
26 May 2004

THE Buffalo City municipality has, as part of an anti-pollution drive in Buffalo Flats, visited schools to educate pupils about the value of a clean and healthy environment.

One topic was the need to keep drains clear of blockages.

Shawn Kumm, the sewage department's acting pump technician, said the sewage system in Buffalo Flats often became blocked; this then posed a health hazard.

The Grade 2 class at Pefferville Primary School was shown just why a clean environment was so important. Kumm used posters to demonstrate the difference between healthy and unhealthy environments.

"It is easy teaching using posters - it helps them to visualise what I'm talking about," Kumm said.

The lesson was particularly important to the children of this school, which is close to a sewer pipe - a potential hazard.

The pupils understood Kumm's every word and gave informed answers to the questions asked.

"I love teaching youngsters because they are tomorrow's adults. When they grow up they'll know how to keep their communities and the environment clean," he said.

However, the sewer was not the only pollution threat.

"People also use the nearby stream as a dumping area. Some dump old tyres, cabbages - a whole host of unwholesome things in the stream," said the school's principal, Thevraj Naidoo.

The filth then attracted rats, which in turn attracted snakes, Naidoo added.

People had to be aware of the dangers litter could bring.

"I would like to thank the municipality for coming to teach our pupils these important lessons. I hope we can forge a partnership and rid ourselves of any potential danger," said Naidoo.

Buffalo City's communications manager, Darby Gounden, said the municipality was committed to working with the community.

"We're looking to embark on a campaign to clean up the filth around the school. We don't want this to be a one-off thing, we want to come here and give this school and the surrounding environment a major clean up," she said.

Gounden said the neighbouring stream had "a lot of potential". When the stream was cleaned up it could be used as a park for the residents.

"I believe we need to start with the youngsters," Gounden said, "to teach them the value of living in an unpolluted environment."

Municipal departments would be included in the joint clean-up campaign, she added.