Siviwe Gwarube Vows To End Pit Toilets In South African Schools

Holifil

03 Apr, 2025

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has pledged to eliminate pit toilets in all public schools by next year.
Gwarube addressed Parliament during a debate, outlining her department's efforts to phase out the bucket system.
Many South Africans remain skeptical, citing broken promises from previous administrations.

Contributing journalist Tebogo Mokwena, a seasoned reporter with seven years of experience at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, brings you in-depth coverage of pressing issues such as health, corruption, education, unemployment, and service delivery protests affecting South Africa.

Siviwe Gwarube has promised to end the era of pit toilets in South African schools. Images: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images and Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE—South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has made a bold promise: to rid the nation's public schools of pit toilets by the end of the next financial year. This ambitious goal aims to improve the sanitation conditions for millions of students across the country.

Gwarube's Bold Move: Phasing Out Pit Toilets

In a recent parliamentary session reported by TimesLIVE, Gwarube responded to a question regarding the progress her department is making in eradicating pit toilets. These outdated and unsanitary facilities are still a reality for thousands of schools in South Africa. Speaking with determination, Gwarube emphasized her commitment to ensuring that no child in the country has to endure such substandard conditions.

Read also:
A Hilarious Encounter When A Cow Crashed A Womans Office

Since taking office, Gwarube has made sanitation in public schools a top priority. She explained that her goal is to completely phase out pit toilets by the end of the current financial year, which concludes in April of the following year. As of now, there are still 4,700 pit toilets in operation across South African schools. The minister assured the public that her team is working tirelessly to replace these facilities with modern, hygienic alternatives.

Public Skepticism: Have We Heard This Before?

Despite Gwarube's optimistic outlook, not everyone is convinced that her vision will become a reality. On social media platforms like Facebook, South Africans have expressed their doubts, pointing to past administrations that made similar promises but failed to deliver. The skepticism is palpable, with many citizens feeling weary of empty words and broken promises.

Ras Magosi St Magakwe summed up the sentiment with a simple yet telling comment: "That's a story for next year." Similarly, Liyema Nazo echoed the frustration of many when she said, "We're tired of talks. We need action, Siviwe." Richard Deane added a dose of sarcasm, noting, "That's optimistic. If you've only already had 30 years." Even more critical was RSA Citizen, who remarked, "Our great and glorious comrade leaders and their kids will never be seen anywhere near a government school. They couldn't care less."

Chris Shabangu, however, chose to remain hopeful. He expressed his wish that Gwarube would follow through on her promise, saying, "Let's hope she will keep her word. She just reminded me of TM in his term in office." Clearly, the public is divided—some are skeptical, while others are cautiously optimistic.

Gwarube's Next Steps: Reviewing the Curriculum

In addition to tackling the issue of pit toilets, Gwarube has announced plans to review the national school curriculum. Recognizing the need for education to stay relevant and practical, she intends to establish a consulting forum to gather input from experts and stakeholders. This initiative aims to ensure that South African students receive an education that prepares them for the challenges of the modern world.

The minister's commitment to improving the quality of education in South Africa is evident in her dual focus on infrastructure and curriculum reform. By addressing both the physical and academic needs of students, Gwarube hopes to create a brighter future for the nation's youth. Whether her promises will come to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the eyes of the nation are watching, and the stakes have never been higher.