WASH News Southern Africa
News feed maintained by information specialists from IRC and partners.
South Africa: Chatty pupils ready for ‘Big Squat’ to help observe World Toilet Day 2010
17 Nov 10
Astra Primary School in Chatty are taking up the plight of those without toilets on Friday when they perform a “Big Squat” for one minute to experience what 2.6-billion people across the world do every day. World Toilet Day, which …Continue reading →
South Africa: In Durban it pays to pee
10 Nov 10
Get paid to pee. That’s the deal on offer in Durban, where the city is looking to buy liquid waste to encourage residents to use dry toilets. Aiming to improve hygiene and save money, the port city has installed in …Continue reading →
Zambia: Permanent Secretary Kristafor calls for integrated approach to water management
04 Nov 10
A government official in Southern Province, permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor, has said sustainable development, protection and management of the country’s water resources requires a holistic approach. During the International Alumni expert seminar on integrated watershed management, Kristafor said the lessons …Continue reading →
South Africa: Edna Molewa replaces Buyelwa Sonjica as Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, top officials suspended
04 Nov 10
Edna Molewa has replaced Buyelwa Sonjica as Water and Environmental Affairs Minister in President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle, which was announced on 31 October 2010. One of Molewa’s biggest challenges, according to the Star newspaper “will be setting right the …Continue reading →
South Africa: Coca-Cola grant to provide better water supply for 100 schools
26 Oct 10
On 10 September 2010, Coca-Cola South Africa, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and the South African Department of Basic Education announced a new initiative that will provide 100 schools across South Africa with water, sanitation, and hygiene education (WASH). The US$ …Continue reading →
Namibia: Namibians to observe Third Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2010
15 Oct 10
Every year, more than three-comma-five million children worldwide do not live to celebrate their 5th birthday because of diarrhoea and pneumonia. In Namibia, of the children who die before their fifth birthday, over 58 per cent die because of pneumonia …Continue reading →
Botswana: Kanye struggles with wastewater disposal
15 Oct 10
Lack of a centralised sewage system in Kanye has led to non-friendly means of disposal of wastewater, leading to fears of pollution to the ground water. Southern District Council Chairman Leach Tlhomelang, told Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources, …Continue reading →
South Africa: Recycling plan will affect informal waste collectors
07 Oct 10
Plastic and packaging companies in the short term aim to recycle at least 50% of all products, in line with government’s waste-management strategy, but this could threaten the livelihoods of more than 30 000 people working informally at landfill sites …Continue reading →
Zimbabwe: Health officials close school
01 Oct 10
Health officials have closed Rakodzi High School in Marondera’s Rujeko high-density suburb for fear of disease outbreak owing to raw sewage flowing between classroom blocks. Yesterday, a Marondera Municipality front-end loader was busy scooping effluent at the school. Mashonaland East …Continue reading →
Africa: Water security hinges on better infrastructure
16 Sep 10
As Africa continues its seemingly endless struggle for water security, why is the beleaguered continent lagging behind Asia and Latin America – despite commitments and declarations by political leaders? “It is hard to generalise across a continent,” Alex Simalabwi of …Continue reading →
