“Rocla’s precast concrete toilet unit, which was selected on merit, following the eThekwini Municipality’s pilot project phase, is an eco-friendly, easy to install and cost-effective solution to the massive sanitation needs not only in eThekwini but across all of South Africa’s high-density urban and rural communities. There is no reason for anyone not to have proper smell free sanitation facility. It is called human dignity,” said Andre Labuschagne, product development manager, Rocla. 

The stand-alone unit can be used as a sustainable twin leach pit configuration, but also remains upgradable to a full water borne system should this become an option in the future. Safe, hygienic and fully functional, the Twin Eco Leach Pit sanitation units can replace dangerous pit toilet installations. They also function off the grid and use grey water for flushing.  

The unit is supplied complete with an Agrément-approved high quality polymer pivot door and Rocla’s proprietary 40 ℓ grey water cistern. To ensure the re-use of water as a scarce commodity, the Rocla proprietary 40 ℓ grey water cistern is fitted with a practical mini basin and an Agrément approved 10 ℓ clean water hand wash apparatus. This allows the wastewater to drain into the 40 ℓ Rocla cistern for flushing use. Additionally, the toilet structure comes standard with a Rocla rainwater harvesting system that further adds to keeping the 40 ℓ cistern filled.  

Labuschagne adds that the leach pits themselves are also available as polymer options for difficult terrain or can be manufactured from concrete to create the maximum employment opportunities. They are supplied together with the toilet unit. “The Twin Eco Leach Pit sanitation units are in line with the Water Research Commission’s findings for a cost effective and viable on-site water borne system.” 

Rocla’s sanitation success

• 2016: The Rocla Thuthukisa Sanitation Initiative (TSI) launched. Thuthukisa means ‘to share’, and it is with this philosophy in mind, that Rocla developed the ‘Community Cast’ toilet unit that can be simply manufactured by local community entrepreneurs or small micro medium enterprises and can be ready for use within two weeks. The resulting waste material can be recycled into practical items for everyday use. 

• 2018: Rocla Sanitation is honoured with the Concrete Manufacturers Association’s ‘Awards for Excellence’ in the prestigious Engineering Category of ‘Product Innovation 100kg+’  

• 2019: The South African technical assessment agency, Agrément SA, awarded Rocla a certificate of recognition for its lightweight concrete toilet top structure. 

• 2021: Rocla and Izandla Ziyagezana took second place in the IMESA/CESA Awards for community upliftment and job creation.