Water Week looks
at saving water
By Tabisa Mntengwana
5 March 2009
WATER Week was launched in Phakamisa Township on Wednesday, 4 March, with various City departments taking part, including environmental health and engineering services.
The provincial Department of Water Affairs and Forestry was also on hand, and with other officials visited learners at Masikhanyise Senior Primary School in Phakamisa.
National Water Week is an initiative of the national Department of Water, and is held each year across the country. It is aimed at raising awareness about saving water and the importance of water.
This year’s theme is Water is life – securing the nation’s water needs across generations, and Water Week runs from 2 to 8 March.
According to a municipal environmental practitioner, Coceka Phika, the week is also set aside to mark the challenges faced by water services in the country.
The City departments highlighted the crucial link between water and health, with presentations on cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Water-borne disease
Ayanda Ngcaba, from the health department, gave an overview of the causes of cholera and its treatment. Ngcaba told the learners that cholera was an acute illness that resulted in profuse watery diarrhea.
“If one has cholera the first symptoms one notices range from constant vomiting and diarrhea to headaches … [it] is a life-threatening disease which can be easily prevented and treated if symptoms are noticed early.”
Mncedisi Kambi, from the engineering services department, gave a presentation on using less water in the home and in the garden, and on water safety. “Learn to swim to be safe in the water … Never swim alone. Always get adult permission and supervision when swimming.”
He also urged the learners to protect, conserve and manage water resources.
As part of this year’s Water Week programme, the City is running an art competition. Four schools have been picked to participate; learners must draw or paint a picture that relates to this year’s theme.
City health practitioner, Peggy Mtengwana, explained the rules. “Four schools across Buffalo City will design a banner for the municipality and only one school will win.”
The nominated schools were Masikhanyise Senior Primary, Silverdale Primary, Gill Ntoni Primary and Mzamowethu Primary schools. The four will have three weeks in which to design their banners. Each week area inspectors would visit each school to inspect its progress and give advice.
“On 18 March, inspectors will collect the banners and check the hygiene of each school,” she said.
The prize giving will be held at the City Health Centre at the East London Zoo on Friday, 20 March. “The wining school will be announced and will receive cash prizes.”
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