Sanitation week kicked off on Monday with the Department of Water and Sanitation declaring May Sanitation month.

This year’s theme, titled It’s not all about flushing aims to raise public awareness of sanitation and to encourage local governments to prioritise sanitation, health and hygiene as key issues towards a healthy nation.

Among the activities during the Focus Week, 11 -15, Minister Nomvula Mokonyane will host a two-day Sanitation Summit at the Durban International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal where delegates will discuss pertinent issues on sanitation.

Furthermore, the Minister will launch a pilot project on alternative sanitation that is aimed at improving the quality of sanitation in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

Objectives of sanitation and hygiene month

• Increase awareness of the importance of sanitation to one’s daily lifestyle, health and dignity.
• Promote the continued identification, documentation and replication of sanitation best practices.
• Promote innovative approaches towards the acceleration of sanitation implementation programmes.
• Promote programmes to ensure sustainability of sanitation facilities, through their correct usage, operations and adequate maintenance.
• Acquire buy-in and support from key neglected stakeholders and interested parties, including the media and civil society.
• Holistic celebration of progress made in sanitation facilities’ provision and health & hygiene promotion in the current democratic government dispensation
• Celebrate progress made on development of improved legislation towards proper regulations, monitoring and evaluation of sanitation related services.