This was his message on UN Toilet Day, celebrated on Wednesday 19 November at the community hall in KwaNonqaba.
The theme for this year’s World Toilet Day is 'Equality and Dignity', which seeks to put spotlight on vulnerable groups, specifically the disabled, women and children.
Representatives of the department, the KwaNonqaba SAPS and municipal councillors and relevant employees visited the informal housing projects in Mossel Bay and also went door-to-door to assess and share information on the importance sanitation and the correct use of toilets.
“It is important that all people receive the services that will acknowledge their dignity. It is therefore encouraging to hear that the Mossel Bay Municipality has managed to entirely do away with the bucket system. Informal settlements are by nature unplanned and it is important to ensure that all people, also those in informal settlements, receive the services they deserve," Mr Khan added.
Whilst the department of water and sanitation has only recently received the added responsibility for sanitation, it has a two-pronged approach; to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is provided and that no water is wasted, and to ensure human dignity.
"Having to use communal facilities especially at night infringes on human safety and dignity. In informal settlements it often happens that up to 600 people rely on as few as five communal toilets. Communal toilets are often targeted for criminal activities such as assault."
Local community leaders have often raised the danger to people in informal areas when using communal facilities especially at night if the ablutions are not well lit, or built close to a green strip where criminals may hide. Likewise, disabled people have difficulty using communal facilities.
"Contractors providing sanitation facilities are not safety experts. Sanitation is tied to the provision of housing. It is therefore important to involve the community in the planning process. Sanitation is not the responsibility of any one entity, and the involvement of the local authority certainly remains a necessity," Mr Khan concluded.
Behaviour change can only be affected through the effective sharing of information and education, which is an interdepartmental responsibility.
The programme was well -attended by interdepartmental representatives, community members and local councillors.
Several local community leaders, councillors and stakeholders listen to the programme director, Ms Babie Hene.
Provincial head of the department of water and sanitation, Mr Rashid Khan, and the deputy divisional head of sanitation, Mr Mchumane Hlazo. Photo supplied
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