Today 23 April 2014 the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) will host the National Sanitation Summit: Building a People’s Plan for Sanitation and Dignity.
The summit will provide an opportunity for civil society leaders from across the country to discuss and plan for improved delivery of water and sanitation, to engage with the recently released South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) water and sanitation report and its recommendations, and to ultimately develop a People’s Plan for Sanitation and Dignity that will build on, and support, struggles by communities throughout South Africa.
Speakers at the summit include Pregs Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the SAHRC; Joconia Rahube, the brother of Osiah Rahube, a protester and leader who was shot and killed by police during the water protests in Madibeng Municipality, North West Province in January 2014; Phumeza Mlungwana, General Secretary of the SJC; Bandile Mdlalose, General Secretary of Abahlali baseMjondolo; and the Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop.
The state of sanitation and other basic services is one of the most serious crises facing South Africa. Vast numbers of people live without access to the most basic rights to dignity and life. The 2011 census shows that hundreds of thousands of people in our biggest cities still use bucket toilets or do not have access to any sanitation facility. It is estimated by national government that over sixteen million people in South Africa do not have access to basic sanitation facilities. The SAHRC report on water and sanitation released in March 2014 demonstrates that while some national averages have improved, the state of sanitation in informal settlements and rural areas however remains dire.
Everyday, across urban and rural South Africa, the rights to life, dignity, equality, freedom, and safety for all people are violated. This National Summit will mark an important step in developing a civil society-led response throughout South Africa to hold local, provincial, and national government accountable for the delivery of these most basic services and rights.
The summit will be taking place from 10h00 to 15h00 at Community House, Salt River in Cape Town, 23 April 2014. If you wish to attend or participate in the summit, please contact: 082 668 7874.
For comment please contact:
Phumeza Mlungwana
SJC General Secretary
074 417 8306
Dustin Kramer
SJC Deputy General Secretary
083 674 0552