Tunatazama - Community Monitors

The Pyhtoremediation project is ready to kickstart at Mosala Secondary School

Thabang Thembani

The environmental impact of mining activity in Nyakallong impacts the greater community of Nyakallong and the smaller communities regarded as microcosms of society such as MOSALA secondary school.

We have a crisis in this school, affecting the school community very badly.

The Stinkdam is our daily bread here, we breathe it, eat it, and get affected by the water in that dam that is fighting so much to penetrate our schoolyard. We hope the phytoremediation project will be able to assist us in rehabilitating this school to be conducive’ Mr Mbongo, principal of the school expresses these words with hope and positive energy. Mosala Secondary School being in closer proximity to the Voelpan becomes badly affected by the toxic water from the mine. This water is not only toxic to the environment but also to the health of the people.

That is why the monitoring school team took it upon itself to approach the school to form a partnership in rehabilitating the soil contaminated by the toxic chemicals that come from the mine. The impact of toxic chemicals has severe health impacts on the people, animals, environment, plants, and life that exist in water. Mr Tsotsotso, who has been working in Mosala for more than 20 years laments that’ I have been working in this school for years and recently, I am experiencing chest pains and respiratory problems. I believe that this is the result of the environment I work in. Any solution right now would be gladly appreciated. Moreover, phytoremediation wants to create a community of people who are independent and solve issues that they face daily. ‘I am happy to be part of the project that farms, even if it’s for rehabilitating the soil.

However, knowing that I’ll be growing something myself’ Sebongile Motsatse, a grade 10 learner enthusiastically proclaimed her readiness to kick
start a phytoremediation project in their school. The monitoring school team appreciates the cooperation of Mosala Secondary School and we hope this partnership will create important awareness in the community as schools are a microcosm of the society.

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