Yongama Zigebe, the Secretary-General of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Nguvu Collective Change Leader, a passionate human rights activist, is set to deliver a pivotal presentation before the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on 7 November 2023.

The presentation relates to the petition initiated on the Change.org platform in February 2023, which has amassed an overwhelming 5,000+ signatures. The petition’s primary focus is to urge the government, particularly the Department of Basic Education, to take immediate action in eradicating the scourge of pit latrines in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape rural schools.

The call for urgent action on this critical issue was first directed to the Speaker of Parliament on 29 March 2023. The UDM and Nguvu Collective emphasised the dire need for Parliamentary accountability to ensure that the executive branch actively addresses this pressing matter, safeguarding the dignity of learners and educators and preventing tragic incidents such as death, drowning in pit latrines.

During the scheduled presentation, Mr. Zigebe will emphatically request the following from the Department of Basic Education and the relevant provincial authorities:
1. Reports on the budget allocations for the eradication of pit latrines.
2. Comprehensive updates on the progress made since March 2023 and the actions taken in pursuit of the set goals.
3. Quarterly progress reports from each affected province leading up to the proposed deadline of 2025.
4. A commitment to the complete eradication of all pit latrines in public schools nationwide by November 2024, a critical objective to be achieved within the next year.

Date: 7 November 2023
Time: 09:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Zoom Parliamentary Virtual Platform

Mr. Zigebe and the Nguvu Collective Change Team invite the media to attend this crucial presentation, which underscores the urgency and necessity of addressing the pervasive issue of pit latrines in our country’s rural schools.

Issued by:
Mr Yongama Zigebe
UDM Secretary General and Nguvu Change Leader