Mandela Day spotlight: Baby Soft tackles “toilet loss” crisis in Gauteng schools

Mandela Day Spotlight: May 2025 audit of 300 primary schools across Gauteng uncovered a sanitation emergency worse than expected. Of 1 717 toilet blocks and over 4 000 cubicles assessed, a mere 6.5% were fully functional, sparking alarm and calls for urgent action. This “toilet loss”—a neologism describing toilets so neglected they are effectively unusable—stems from damaged infrastructure, lack of essentials, and poor maintenance.

Disturbingly, 27% of cubicles showed visible waste, 22% emitted foul odours, only 15% stocked toilet paper, 50% lacked soap, and 69% had no dustbins. While most schools had cleaners, just 32% used checklists, and very few tracked supplies or adhered to cleaning rosters. According to Siyolise Shinga, Baby Soft® Brand Manager, only 50 schools had even a single clean and usable cubicle, marking this a systemic catastrophe, not isolated incidents.

Baby Soft® Launches “Unstoppable Together” on Mandela Day

On Mandela Day, Baby Soft®, alongside Domestos and the DBE, rolled out their Unstoppable Together campaign in Gauteng. This public-private initiative aims not just to donate resources, but to build long-term sanitation systems in every school.

The campaign will distribute essential cleaning kits, PPE, toilet paper, soap, bleach, and dustbins. Critically, it also introduces training for cleaners and management, daily cleaning checklists, rosters, and inventory forms to instill accountability. Behavioural-change programs and cleaner motivation systems are also central, aiming to sustain better sanitation habits across schools.

Lessons from the Eastern Cape: Real Results in Action

The Gauteng effort builds on the successful 2024 Eastern Cape pilot, which saw measurable improvement in school hygiene. Access to PPE increased from 31% to 93%, daily checklists usage rose from 0.3% to 42%, and toilet paper availability jumped from 61% to 99%. Cleaner motivation soared to 79% strongly committed to their roles.

Initial Gauteng readiness is high: 85% of cleaners feel ready to take action, with 64% extremely motivated, according to Domestos’ Queen Mgobhozi. The campaign now aims to match this determination with the necessary infrastructure and support systems.

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Why Clean Toilets Matter for Learning and Dignity

Functional, hygienic toilets are far more than conveniences, they are essential for education, health, and dignity. Poor sanitation contributes to illness, absenteeism (especially among girls), and emotional distress, undermining learners’ ability to succeed. Mandela Day represents both symbolic reflection and a call to action, ensuring meaningful progress rather than fleeting gestures.

Shinga emphasizes the aim: “cleaners should be supported and valued; learners should feel safe; and sanitation should be central to school budgets.” Sustainable change won’t come from donation alone, it requires investment in systems, staffing, and culture.

The Path Forward: Transforming School Sanitation

The campaign envisions schools where:

1. Sanitation infrastructure is functional and fit for purpose
2. Cleaners are equipped, trained, and respected
3. Daily routines and supply chains are consistently managed
4. Learners experience bathrooms that foster health and self-esteem

Shinga’s vision goes beyond Mandela Day: “Our commitment is a sustained investment in dignity, health, and the right to learn without fear”.

A Momentous Start, Now the Real Work Begins

With the Unstoppable Together campaign kicking off on Mandela Day, Gauteng takes a critical step in rebuilding school sanitation. The audit’s staggering results sound a warning bell, one the campaign must answer. But with training, supplies, community ownership, and a clear vision for long-term change, there is genuine hope that learners will one day enter classrooms with “toilets that make them feel safe, respected and cared for.”