Cape Town: City partnership empowers Kraaifontein to rethink water use and sanitation habits. As residents of Kraaifontein are gaining practical tools to reduce water use and avoid sewer blockages in their community.
Reportedly, a series of workshops was led by local non-profit organisation ‘Manjiya Economic Development’.
This organisation is one of the 22 community-based groups which is supported through the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation grant funding programme. It aims at strengthening partnerships that promote responsible water use, protect sewer infrastructure and safeguard waterways.
Manjiya Economic Development has placed a strong focus on education, awareness and job creation through eight workshops in Kraaifontein and Scottsville, centred around addressing the behavioural causes that impact the condition of the Diep River catchment and surrounding communities.
Till date, the initiative has reached to over 900 residents, which includes young adults and school learners. The workshops unpack everyday issues such as what causes sewer blockages and overflows. It also tells why proper sanitation practices matter and how residents can log service requests with the City of Cape Town when problems arise.
Considerably, each session is designed to be practica; and accessible. It helps residents better in understanding how their own waste disposal behaviours affect both critical infrastructure and the environment.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation – Councillor Zahid Badroodien stated that the City of Cape Town cannot tackle the scale of water pollution and sewer overflows alone. Partnerships alike with Manjiya Economic Development allow them to extend the reach and discuss practical solutions, by taking into account lived reality at a community level.
Badroodien further added that it also creates an opportunity to support the residents who are passionate about dignified sanitation and promoting wise water use.
Luntu Manjiya from Manjiya Economic Development also expressed that the City’s grant enabled them to deliver impactful community and school activities by providing vita; resources and support. Through this, they have successfully raised awareness on water conservation and improved sanitation practices across the communities.