NEWS 3
Helping a school in need
By
Tanya Olckers
On World Plumbing Day 2024 , Gauteng IOPSA plumbers helped out Prestigious Primary School in Vanderbijlpark with a much-needed bathroom revamp .
When school principal Wilmarie Botha took the helm at Prestigious Primary School in Vanderbijlpark , formerly known as Park Ridge Primary , she had a massive task ahead of her . The school , which was once a high school , had been vandalised and left abandoned for a year . With its reputation in tatters , its infrastructure severely damaged , and squatters that had to be removed , this was not going to be the easiest of jobs .
In June 2023 , Botha took on the position of principal and began the slow task of breathing life back into the school for the learners that it served .
The school only had two functioning bathrooms that had to cater to 555 learners . During the time that the school had been abandoned , copper pipes were stolen and bathrooms had been destroyed . Flushing mechanisms didn ’ t work , toilet seats were missing and cisterns were damaged .
In the spirit of World Plumbing Day on 11 March 2024 , IOPSA Gauteng members boldly stepped forward to provide assistance . World Plumbing Day , which was started by the World Plumbing Council back in 2010 , places the emphasis on the great value and contribution of plumbers to the health and wellbeing of society . With that in mind , the IOPSA plumbers set to work , with products donated by Plumblink to get them going .
The group of plumbers set about their work , finishing up with having restored six bathrooms so that learners at the school could make use of the available facilities comfortably . This bathroom revamp has added a much-needed boost to the school ’ s infrastructure and morale . PA
Principal Botha from Prestigious Primary School .
“ The school only had two functioning bathrooms that had to cater to 555 learners .”
© Plumbing Africa
Image supplied by IOPSA
Gauteng IOPSA members on World Plumbing Day .
April 2024 Volume 30 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za