Shad Nowbuth, eThekwini Ward 90 councillor, at the Dakota Beach informal settlement, which lacks adequate sanitation facilities. The toilets in the background are not functional.
Image: Supplied / Ward 90
Residents of Dakota Beach informal settlement, south of Durban, have struggled for years without proper ablution facilities, but new plans are under way to address their sanitation needs.
Shad Nowbuth, eThekwini Ward 90 councillor, explained that promises of proper working ablution facilities, even by the previous municipality officials, and requests made to the relevant department in the municipality, did not materialise.
He added that residents have faced inconveniences for several years due to a lack of proper ablution facilities.
There have also been no positive measures by the eThekwini Human Settlements Department to ease the suffering and humiliation of the dwellers.
“They have to cross the busy Ernest Clokie Road, in Isipingo, to use the potable toilets on the kerbside at any time of the day and night. To end the misery of the dwellers, arrangements are being made to utilise Ward 90 funds from the community infrastructure projects to install new ablution blocks in the safety of the settlement,” Nowbuth said.
Cicil Mfanufikile, Dakota Beach informal settlement Ward 90 chairperson of the ward health, safety, and security committee, explained that the settlement is adjacent to an industrial area, where heavy motor vehicles frequently travel along the road.
He said the current number of portable toilets on the roadside cannot cater to the residents and need regular cleaning and maintenance.
“We attempt to have the service provider clean frequently as these toilets fill up quickly. They sometimes clean up twice a week. The toilets that were in the settlement were vandalised and damaged over the years, becoming dysfunctional.
“We are concerned for the residents' health, especially the children. We spoke to many municipal officials over the years, but nothing has resulted from it. We believe this time we might see some changes,” Mfanufikile said.
Nowbuth added that assessors have been on site on Thursday, and a report will be submitted to the Directorate of Community Infrastructure Projects (CIP) programme for consideration.
“Hopefully, dwellers in Dakota Beach informal settlement will be able to answer nature's call in safety and dignity.”