Student’s right to a healthy environment infringed at Mosala secondary school

Tshepo Tsie

The greatest threat to the people of Nyakallong, including the students at Mosala Secondary
School, has been the Voelpan Dam. Although the school is only a short distance from the Dam,
the state of the school grounds makes it unsuitable for instruction and learning.
The Voelpan, located between Nyakallong and Allenridge, adversely affects students, violating
the rights of Riverside residents and Mosala secondary school students.

The Voelpan dam is only a few steps from Mosala Secondary School. During the summer
season, when it rains, the foul-smelling dam floods the school grounds as the water level rises,
potentially causing students to drown.
Everyone in South Africa is entitled to housing and a healthy environment, but Mosala students
are not. They were deprived of their right to a healthy and safe environment, which the Bill of
Rights guarantees. Additionally, their right to life is violated.

Because the Voelpan can cause illnesses in students, the teaching and learning program is
constantly disrupted. Before the water level rose, the school had a 100% pass rate; their
academic performance is now impacted. Because their plants aren’t growing or producing, even
their garden is impacted.
We hope that the mine or the government will construct a new school for the students at Mosala
Secondary School away from the Voelpan dam.