In an attempt to further advance the Commission’s Poverty and Inequality Strategy, this year's theme is Water and Sanitation in South Africa – A question of Accessibility.

Despite the achievements that have been made in the provision of access to water and sanitation, the Commission is however concerned about the quality of the service. The Commission carried out investigations in the areas of Makhaza in the Western Cape and Rammolutsi in the Free State and made specific findings on the inadequacies in the realisation of the rights to water and sanitation.

Subsequent to this, the Commission’s Section 5 Committee on Governance and Basic Services made further recommendations that the Commission must find ways to ensure government accelerated service delivery.

Following on the community engagement in Rammolutsi, the campaign proceeded as follows:

Makhaza Community Engagement

On Tuesday, 13 March, the Commission conducted a site inspection in Makhaza. This inspection was followed by a community engagement session at the OR Tambo Hall.

Hearing

On Wednesday, 14 March, the Commission held a hearing where various stakeholders interrogated the challenges associated with the provision of access to quality water and sanitation services.

The report on Status of sanitation services in South Africa  was the basis of the hearing.