South Africa is facing a water crisis due to factors such as population growth, climate change, and economic advancements. The Water and Sanitation Department is responsible for managing the country’s valuable water resources to generate longterm environmental, social, and economic gains. However, the provision of water and sanitation services remains uneven across the country, with some regions having universal access while others have no access at all. The government has stepped up its support to municipalities to address these problems, but better planning and implementation of projects are needed to meet the escalating demand.
Annual Survey by the Cape Town Water and Sanitation Directorate: A Path towards Improvement
The Cape Town Water and Sanitation Directorate is launching its annual Customer Satisfaction Survey from April to June 2024. The survey aims to assess the happiness of Cape Town’s inhabitants and businesses regarding the city’s water and sanitation services. It covers both official and unofficial residents and businesses, giving the City crucial feedback to understand citizens’ everyday experiences and improve service delivery. The City guarantees the highest level of confidentiality and hires an independent research agency to ensure integrity and promote a culture of joint governance. Participating in the survey is an opportunity for residents and businesses to shape the City’s future.
Loowatt, a private toilet service in South Africa, charges R350 per month for its offering that includes maintenance. The service is spearheaded by Loowatt and Khanyisa Projects, and it promotes the production of locallymade toilets that bolster business growth and sustainability. Despite the positive progress, South Africa’s informal settlements still face a need for accessible, secure, and private home sanitation services that reflects an inhabitant’s aspiration for dignity and respect.
Toilets in Cape Town’s RR Section informal settlement have been overflowing with waste for almost a month due to a local extortion group targeting the cleaning company responsible for maintaining the facilities. The group demanded money for protection and threatened to kill workers if they returned without paying. Residents have been left with no choice but to use alternative methods such as buckets or going outside. The situation highlights the negative impact of extortion on service delivery and the daily lives of residents, prompting Cape Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis to initiate an AntiExtortion Campaign.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has scheduled an oversight visit to assess Emfuleni Section 63 Intervention Projects in the Sedibeng District on August 29, 2023. The projects are aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges in the region, particularly within the Emfuleni and Midvaal Local Municipalities.
The Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town proudly announces the successful utilisation of 95% of its capital budget for the 2022/23 fiscal year. The accomplishment reinforces the city’s commitment to investing in vital infrastructure to ensure the provision of highquality drinking water and dignified sanitation, particularly in informal settlements.
Education has the power to transform lives, and Kagiso Komane’s story is a testament to this. Despite facing many challenges, Komane overcame them to achieve his Masters of Applied Sciences in Chemistry from the Tshwane University of Technology in 2022, thanks to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s bursary program.
In Cape Town, during a season of heavy rain, citizens are encouraged to report water and sanitationrelated issues, such as sewer overflows, by using the city’s official reporting channels. The convenience and ease of WhatsApp make it a suitable platform for residents to assist the Water and Sanitation Directorate in preserving and improving the system.
On June 9, 2023, Minister Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by his deputies Ms. Judith Tshabalala and Mr. David Mahlobo, visited Lekwa Local Municipality to evaluate the progress of intervention projects dedicated to addressing water and sanitation challenges. The purpose of the visit was to assess the impact of last year’s allocation of R350 million to the municipality and to engage with community members to ensure transparency and accountability.
Cape Town, a bustling coastal city in South Africa, is committed to investing R4.3 billion in water and sanitation infrastructure in the 2023/2024 financial year. This significant initiative showcases the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s dedication to providing access to highquality water and ensuring that communities do not suffer from sewer overflows. The city’s investment plan also strives to provide adequate sanitation in informal settlements, promoting a healthier environment for all residents.
The recent cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, a community north of Tshwane, has prompted action from the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, and the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Cllr Cilliers Brink, to address critical water and sanitation issues in the area.
The Western Cape Provincial Sanitation Task Team (PSTT) is a Department of Water and Sanitationled initiative that aims to provide adequate and equitable sanitation to the citizens of the Western Cape. In this article, we will take a closer look at the PSTT’s role in accelerating sanitation delivery in the region, including its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 target and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 vision.
Cape Town’s bustling city depends on its dedicated workforce to keep vital infrastructures running smoothly. Among these workers are the operational teams of the Water and Sanitation Department, whose relentless efforts ensure that the city’s sewers and drainage systems remain functional. Without these individuals, residents would be subjected to the dire consequences of blocked drains and sewage systems.
Cholera outbreaks are a common occurrence in areas with poor water quality and sanitation, and Hammanskraal is no exception. The government has acknowledged the gravity of this crisis and is taking swift action to mitigate its effects. However, a longterm solution to water supply and quality issues in the area is still being developed.
Cholera is a type of infectious diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacterium, which spreads through contaminated food and water. If left untreated, the disease can lead to severe dehydration and even death. ## Department of Health Assures the Public
On May 16, 2023, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, presented an ambitious budget of R40.291 billion for the 2023/24 fiscal year in the National Assembly. The department’s primary objective is to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the water sector, while addressing the existing challenges and shortcomings and providing reliable services to communities.