DA Minister
By Thabo Mosia
8 April 2025, South Africa – DA Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) have missed their self-imposed deadline of 31 March 2025 to eliminate all pit toilets in schools identified under the 2018 Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative. Despite significant strides, with 96% of the 3,372 schools listed in the original audit having had their pit latrines replaced, 141 schools still rely on these hazardous structures. Gwarube acknowledged the department’s shortfall, admitting they fell 4% short of full eradication. In response, the DBE has set a new target of July 2025 to complete the upgrades and called for a fresh national audit to ensure no schools are missed.
A Long-Standing Crisis in School Sanitation
The issue of pit toilets in South African schools is not new. For decades, learners in rural and under-resourced areas have been forced to use these unsafe and undignified facilities, often little more than a hole in the ground covered by a flimsy structure. Over the years, this has led to heartbreaking tragedies. In 2014, five-year-old Michael Komape drowned in a pit toilet at his school in Limpopo, sparking national outrage. More recently, in 2018, three-year-old Lister Magongwa suffered a similar fate in the Eastern Cape. Despite these incidents, progress has been slow, with the DBE missing earlier deadlines set for 2016 and 2020 under the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure, established in 2013.
The SAFE initiative, launched in 2018 by then-President Cyril Ramaphosa, was meant to end this crisis once and for all. It identified 3,372 schools needing urgent sanitation upgrades and aimed to replace pit toilets with safe, modern facilities. While the programme has achieved much, the latest delay has reignited concerns about the department’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Progress and Pitfalls: Where Things Stand
As of 31 March 2025, the DBE reports that 96% of the identified schools—roughly 3,231—have had their pit toilets replaced with proper sanitation facilities. This leaves 141 schools still dependent on these dangerous structures. Minister Gwarube has described the progress as a near-success, stating, “We came close to full eradication but ultimately fell 4% short of our target.” She added that 90 of the remaining schools are currently under construction, with work expected to wrap up by July 2025, while plans are in place to tackle the final 51 soon after.
However, the numbers don’t tell the full story. Despite removing 96% of the toilets, six children have tragically died in pit latrine-related incidents since the SAFE initiative began, underscoring the urgency of completing the job. Beyond the 2018 audit, there are also fears that additional schools, either newly built or missed in the initial count, may still be using pit toilets. To address this, Gwarube has called for a new national audit, a move she says will provide a clearer picture of the challenge ahead.
Voices of Frustration and Hope
The missed deadline has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and education advocates. Amnesty International South Africa expressed strong disappointment, stating, “Despite removing 96-percent of the toilets, six children have tragically died, and many schools remain without safe sanitation.” They argue that the continued presence of pit toilets violates learners’ constitutional rights to safety, health, and dignity. Similarly, Section27, a public interest law centre, has slammed the DBE for its lack of urgency and transparency. “Deadlines come and go, but the risks to children remain,” a spokesperson said, calling for binding commitments and better oversight.
On the other hand, Minister Gwarube remains optimistic. “I am deeply committed to ensuring that no child in South Africa ever has to use unsafe sanitation again,” she said during a recent briefing in Pretoria. She pointed to the 90% completion rate as evidence of the department’s determination and promised to personally oversee progress towards the July 2025 target. Gwarube also highlighted the role of the Safe Schools app, launched in December 2024, which allows parents, teachers, and community members to report pit toilets directly to the DBE, ensuring no case slips through the cracks.
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