Impala Rustenburg-supported learners visit Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant for World Water Day

As part of Impala Rustenburg’s school support programme, a competition was held to create awareness among our mine community schools about the importance of protecting water resources. Learners were required to write a one-page essay on how they plan to protect South Africa’s scarce water resources and how they can play a part in saving water in their communities. The top 30 Grade 10 and 11 learners from eight high schools in Impala Rustenburg’s mine communities were selected to participate in an educational day trip to Magalies Water’s Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant on World Water Day, 22 March.

“We are proud to invest in campaigns that highlight environmental issues with the purpose of changing behaviour to ensure that we build more environmentally sustainable and robust communities,” said Mark Munroe, CE Impala Rustenburg.

The campaign was a collaborative effort between Impala Rustenburg and Magalies Water and sought to raise awareness about water conservation, environmental sustainability and climate change. Learners visited the Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant, one of Magalies Water’s four treatment plants. At Vaalkop, the learners received presentations from Magalies Water on geographic information systems, scientific services, public relations, and plant operations, as well as career options within the various fields. This was followed by a plant tour, from the water inlet point to the water treatment centre, including an overview of the supervisory control and data acquisition system.

“Thank you to all the learners who took part in the competition and congratulations to our top 30 learners whose essays were well written and demonstrated their understanding that South Africa is a water scarce country. We hope that all the learners who took part in the competition will continue to implement their plans to save water at their schools and in their communities,” said Annah Kgaswane, Impala Rustenburg’s Head of Environmental.

Congratulations to learners who achieved the top five slots, and who are a credit to their schools: Thethe Secondary School, Matsukubyane Secondary School and Mmanape Secondary School.

Thirty Grade 10 and 11 learners from eight high schools across Impala Rustenburg’s mine communities were selected to participate in an educational day trip to the Magalies Water Treatment Plant on World Water Day, 22 March 2022.

Students taking a look at the Magalies Water Plant from above.

Students experiencing first-hand the fascinating inner workings of the Magalies Water Plant.

Students learning about the importance of water conservation.