Improving Hygiene in Schools 

As part of our ongoing commitment to public health and community well-being, NACOSA, with funding from The Global Fund, has successfully supported the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stations in primary schools within the Sol Plaatje District, Northern Cape. 

This project, implemented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Gauteng, aims to improve hygiene practices in schools, learning the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the immediate crisis has passed, the importance of good hand hygiene remains a priority, particularly in schools. 

“Access to clean water and proper handwashing facilities is more than just about hygiene—it’s about dignity, health, and creating a safe learning environment for children.” Says Marisca Erasmus, Project Manager at NACOSA. 

The initiative specifically targets primary schools participating in the My Journey Adolescents and Young People schools programme. In partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Education, 22 primary schools were identified to receive essential handwashing infrastructure. Each of these schools has been fitted with four outdoor WASH stations, ensuring that learners have the necessary facilities to practice proper hand hygiene. 

The Global Fund Country Team visited one of the participating schools to see first-hand the impact of the newly installed WASH stations on Wednesday, 12 February 2025. Joining the visit were representatives from NACOSA, local Sub-Recipient Community-Based Organisations Grassroots Edge and Pathways to Care, the Department of Basic Education, the Northern Cape Department of Education, the Provincial Council on AIDS, and the Civil Society Forum. 

The Executive Director of NACOSA, Mohamed Motala emphasised the importance of ongoing investment in hygiene infrastructure: 

This project shows the power of working together to create real change. By installing handwashing stations in these schools, we’re helping children stay healthy, maintain good hygiene and learn in a safer environment.

NACOSA remains committed to working with partners to ensure that schools and communities continue to benefit from sustainable health interventions. Through projects like this, we move closer to building a healthier, more resilient future for South Africa’s young learners.