By Phenyo Selinda
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape – In a bold move to address long-standing sanitation challenges in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM), the local government has committed R25 million over the next three years to provide dignified sanitation solutions for communities across the metro. This significant investment underscores the municipality’s determination to eradicate the outdated bucket toilet system and improve the quality of life for residents in informal settlements.
A Decade of Challenges
Over the past decade, NMBM has witnessed a rapid increase in illegal informal settlements across the metro, driven by urban migration and housing shortages. These settlements have placed immense pressure on the municipality’s already strained infrastructure, leading to heightened demands for essential services such as sanitation, water, and electricity.
According to Khanya Ngqisha, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure and Engineering, the municipality’s sanitation system has been under severe strain due to the burgeoning population in these informal settlements. “These demands come on top of the already existing backlog of the bucket system,” Ngqisha noted.
In 2015, the metro had approximately 32,000 bucket toilets, a system that has been widely criticized for its inadequacy and indignity. Through targeted interventions initiated in 2019, this number has been significantly reduced to 6,100. However, the municipality recognizes that more needs to be done to eliminate the bucket system entirely and ensure that all residents have access to proper sanitation facilities.
A Strategic Plan for Eradication
Ngqisha revealed that the municipality’s goal for the next three years is to completely eradicate the remaining bucket toilets, replacing them with modern sanitation facilities. To achieve this, NMBM has appointed cluster service providers tasked with constructing various types of sanitation infrastructure, including communal ablution blocks and single toilet units.
“This initiative is designed not only to improve health and hygiene but also to enhance the overall quality of life for our residents,” Ngqisha stated. The rollout of this infrastructure will be accompanied by community engagement sessions to ensure that the contractors understand and address the specific needs of each community before construction begins.
These community engagement sessions are crucial in tailoring the sanitation solutions to the unique challenges faced by different areas within the metro. Contractors have already been introduced to local councillors and community members, with some projects already underway.
Addressing Health and Dignity
The bucket system has long been associated with poor health outcomes and indignity for those who rely on it. By replacing these outdated facilities, the NMBM aims to reduce the incidence of sanitation-related diseases and provide residents with safe, private, and dignified alternatives. The new sanitation facilities will also help mitigate the environmental impact caused by the widespread use of bucket toilets.
In addition to health benefits, the new infrastructure is expected to have a positive impact on the social fabric of these communities. Improved sanitation facilities can lead to safer living environments, particularly for women and children who are often at risk when using communal or poorly maintained facilities.
Collaboration and Future Plans
This initiative aligns with broader efforts by the South African government to improve living conditions in informal settlements across the country. The NMBM’s commitment to this cause has been echoed by national policies aimed at providing universal access to basic services.
Ngqisha emphasized that the municipality’s approach is holistic, aiming not only to meet immediate sanitation needs but also to build a sustainable model that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges. “This project is part of our broader strategy to ensure that every resident in Nelson Mandela Bay has access to dignified sanitation,” he said.
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