WASSUP Diepsloot, Report March 2019

8 ABSORBING THE PROGRAMME
8 OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
IN ABSORBING THE WASSUP PROGRAMME
Local government is well-placed to incorporate the programme that has been
initiated by WASSUP because:
The programme can be responsible for enormous savings in water and so
contributes to environmental health and sustainability;
Well-maintained toilets are important for urban safety. Women and children
are extremely vulnerable in informal settlements especially after dark and if
functioning toilets are not accessible, they are forced to take bigger risks by
moving through the settlement at night;
The continued use of dysfunctional public toilets can be life threatening.
■ The ongoing poor functioning of these toilets and water points adds to
the considerable environmental risks in Diepsloot;
■ The programme potentially contributes to improved public health
and wellbeing;
■ The programme offers skills development and local
employment possibilities;
■ The programme offers the possibility for co-operatives or micro
businesses to undertake community services;
■ The programme is already established and much groundwork has been
laid for a scaling up of the initiative;
■ The programme can be rolled out to other settlements;
■ The programme is well grounded in community engagement; and
■ The programme is straightforward and easily implementable.
FIGURE 44: Household waste in Extension 1 Diepsloot
FIGURE 45: Young girl collecting water in Rabie Ridge
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