sanitation system
22 October 2007
The Gauteng Provincial Government has made significant strides in the
eradication of the unhygienic and inhumane bucket sanitation system in order to
achieve the government's commitment of 'a better life for all.'
This was evident during the visit by Gauteng Local Government MEC Qedani
Dorothy Mahlangu and Lesedi Local Municipality Executive Mayor Busi Modisakeng
to Slovoville informal settlement in Alra Park, Duduza in Nigel during the
bucket eradication road show where 1 021 identified buckets were replaced with
Ventilated Improved Pit latrines (VIP).
The bucket eradication road show formed part and parcel of the Gauteng
Imbizo Focus Week which started on 22 October and will end on 28 October to
interact with communities. Mahlangu said the decision to remove all bucket
toilets was taken during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in
2001 where all countries committed themselves in providing people with healthy
and hygienic sanitation.
"It was during the WSSD where nations took a decision to eradicate all the
buckets world-wide. Thereafter, here in South Africa, under the leadership of
President Thabo Mbeki we undertook to eradicate all the buckets in all
identified areas. It's not here in Alra Park where we have removed buckets.
Significant progress has been made in Masetjhaba View in Ekurhuleni Metro,
Merafong Local Municipality before it was moved to North West province, Mogale
City, Bekkersdal in Westonaria and Evaton in Emfuleni. The Gauteng government
allocated," she said.
In Gauteng 12 323 buckets were identified and replaced with either water
borne, VIP or solar san depending on whether the area had been formally
proclaimed as a township or not. Like Alra Park, the governments' decision to
install VIPs was based on the fact that the area has not yet been proclaimed as
a township.
In areas such as Evaton in Emfuleni, Rietvallei in Mogale City, Masetjhaba
View in Ekurhuleni and Kokosi in Merafong water borne system had been installed
since these are fully-fledged townships registered with the Township Board.
"We must all be happy and celebrate the eradication of buckets," Mahlangu
said to a rapturous gathering in Mackenziville Sports Complex in Alra Park.
She told that gathering that since Alra Park was bordering two
municipalities, Ekurhuleni Metro and Lesedi, a decision had been taken that the
area would be ceded to Ekurhuleni.
"From 20 August 2007, Alra Park falls into Ekurhuleni. Therefore, Lesedi
Local Municipality is not responsible. All the housing plans will now be
addressed by Ekurhuleni," she said.
Mayor Modisakeng said Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa had pronounced in his
budget speech that MEC Mahlangu had allocated funds towards the eradication of
buckets.
"When we started in 2005 we ensured that we install water taps in the area.
One of the projects was the eradication of buckets of which we are here today
celebrating. We are doing things step-by-step and therefore the government will
attend to other needs such as housing, electricity and installation of water
borne toilets in future," she said.
Among throngs of residents who had gathered in the marquee was Albert
Vilakazi who was part of the people who protested during the era of the bucket
system who marched to the council and spilled waste from the buckets.
"It was a sign that we didn't want to use these inhumane buckets. I am happy
that after a long struggle our government has finally made good of its promise
by providing us with healthy sanitation. It was a long battle because after we
marched, we were provided with solar san which was also unhealthy and
unhygienic as the stench was also too unbearable. Following the installation of
the VIPs our live have changed for the better. Now all I need is a house of my
own and I believe that the government will deliver on its promises like they
did with the new toilets," Vilakazi said.
He urged other residents to keep their toilets clean. "It does not matter
whether its water borne flush toilet of VIP, we must maintain them and ensure
that we use chemicals so that we live in a healthy environment."
For Vilakazi and other residents of Alra Park the phrase: "Water is life and
sanitation is dignity" rang true yesterday during the Imbizo Focus Week.
For more information contact:
Themba Sepotokele
Tel: 011 355 5111
Cell: 082 490 9869
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial
Government
22 October 2007
