FROM BEHIND THE SCENES TO CENTER STAGE: Domestos & Vuma FM Honour Gobhela’s Hygiene Champions

NWN MEDIA - Digital Voice of KZN

Mtwalume, uMzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal – Two dedicated cleaners at Gobhela Full Service Primary School, Ngcebo Nyawuza and Ntokozo Khumalo, have been recognised as the school's unsung heroes after receiving surprise awards during the school's annual awards ceremony for their outstanding contribution to maintaining a clean, safe and healthy learning environment.

The emotional recognition celebrated the pair's unwavering commitment to serving a school community of approximately 1,740 learners. Their work, often carried out behind the scenes, was acknowledged as essential to protecting learner health, promoting dignity and creating an environment where quality teaching and learning can flourish.

While the ceremony honoured outstanding academic achievement among learners, the recognition of the school's cleaning staff emerged as one of the day's most memorable moments, drawing applause from learners, educators, parents and invited guests.

Speaking during a live interview on Vuma FM, Principal Lindelani Mkhize said the decision to honour the cleaning staff was intentional, describing them as the backbone of the school's daily operations.

"Our cleaning staff are among the pillars of this institution. Looking after a school with approximately 1,740 learners requires dedication, discipline and consistency. They ensure that our classrooms and sanitation facilities remain clean and safe every day, creating an environment where teaching and learning can flourish. We believed it was both fitting and necessary to recognise their outstanding contribution to the success of our school," said Mkhize.

He added that recognising both learners and support staff helps build a culture of excellence, respect and appreciation, while motivating every member of the school community to continue striving for higher standards.

The awards coincided with a sanitation and hygiene initiative led by Domestos, in partnership with Vuma FM, aimed at promoting healthier school environments across South Africa.

As part of the campaign, Domestos provided specialised hygiene training for the school's cleaning staff, donated essential sanitation products and educated learners on proper handwashing, toilet hygiene and the importance of maintaining clean school facilities.

Principal Mkhize further emphasised that proper sanitation is more than just keeping facilities clean. He said healthy school environments help reduce absenteeism, protect learners from preventable illnesses and create the conditions necessary for improved academic performance.

The partnership between Domestos, Vuma FM and Gobhela Full Service Primary School demonstrates how collaboration between the private sector, the media and educational institutions can create meaningful and lasting change. Their shared commitment reinforces a simple but powerful message: clean schools produce healthier learners, and healthier learners are better positioned to succeed academically.

NWN Media congratulates Ngcebo Nyawuza and Ntokozo Khumalo on their well-deserved recognition. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that behind every successful school are dedicated support staff whose hard work often goes unnoticed. By honouring its cleaners alongside its top-performing learners, Gobhela Full Service Primary School has set an inspiring example of leadership, appreciation and inclusive excellence.