The Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with Sol Plaatje Municipality, held an awareness drive in Phuthanang on Tuesday to commemorate National Sanitation Month.
THE DEPARTMENT of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in partnership with Sol Plaatje Municipality, held an awareness drive in Phuthanang on Tuesday to commemorate National Sanitation Month.
DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said the campaign centred around awareness on hygiene and education on sanitation facilities.
“Community members were educated about the importance of not dumping foreign objects in toilets and the sewerage system that could result in blockages and cause health hazards. Access to safe and clean drinking water and dignified sanitation is an essential human right,” said Ratau.
He added that a faecal sludge management workshop would be held in the Dawid Kruiper Municipality in Upington on May 12.
“The consultative workshop will serve as a platform to share and solicit inputs from all stakeholders in the Northern Cape to address inequalities regarding access to sanitation services, the unintended consequences of sewage spillages and other sanitation challenges.”
Ratau stated that sanitation norms and standards needed to be revised and tailored to address the dignity of women, the elderly and young girls.
“Another thorn in the flesh has been the eradication of bucket toilets that have morphed into a moving target due to the mushrooming of informal settlements. Better forms of sanitation in
terms of norms and standards will have to be implemented and enforced to ensure the total eradication of bucket toilets.”
