Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Invests R25M in Dignified Sanitation Solutions

This investment aims to address the sanitation needs of communities, particularly in informal settlements that have proliferated in recent years.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has committed R25 million over the next three years to enhance sanitation solutions across the metro. This investment aims to address the sanitation needs of communities, particularly in informal settlements that have proliferated in recent years.

Current Sanitation Challenges: The municipality has faced increasing pressure due to the growth of illegal informal settlements, which have strained the existing sanitation system. The backlog of bucket toilets, which was 32,000 in 2015, has been reduced to 6,100 through focused interventions since 2019.

Future Goals: Over the next three years, NMBM plans to completely eradicate the remaining bucket toilets, ensuring that all residents have access to dignified sanitation solutions.

Sanitation Solutions: The initiative includes the construction of various sanitation typologies, such as communal ablution blocks and single toilet units, to improve health, hygiene, and overall quality of life.

Community Involvement: Cluster service providers have been appointed to execute the project. Local councillors and community members have been introduced to the contractors, with some already actively working on-site. Community engagement sessions are being held to ensure that contractors are aware of the specific needs of each area before construction begins.

MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, emphasized the project's significance in improving the health and quality of life for residents, reflecting a concerted effort to address the sanitation needs of all communities in the metro.