Sanitation In A Post-Apartheid Capital City: Windhoek In The Age Of Accelerated Growth

Abstract

Sanitation is a social issue. Waterborne sanitation is associated with human dignity and alternative sanitation systems such as dry toilets are considered an option for poor black people hence they face high levels of resistance. Lack of basic sanitation among poor blacks in informal settlements is tantamount to lack of dignity. There is a strong link between sanitation, race (white versus black) and poverty. It is mainly black people who are poor and who live in informal settlements where access to basic sanitation is very limited. City of Windhoek does not have sanitation capacity to cope with accelerated growth. Taking these contrasting realities as a sociological starting point, this study sought to explore the feasibility of integrating the substantial number of serviced units into Windhoek’s sanitation system in socially, economically and environmentally sustainable manner. The study employed qualitative research methodology. It used phenomenological and content analysis approaches in collecting data. Experts in sanitation and residents of Havana informal settlement were purposively selected for the study and interviewed in-depth. Windhoek exhibits a divided society. Two conflicting social worlds exist, the poor, mostly blacks in one social world and the rich in the other. Sanitation in post-apartheid Windhoek is discriminatory. The poor, predominantly blacks who migrate from communal areas and small towns to Windhoek are unable to pay for sanitation services, they use shared toilets or practice open defecation. There is also a gender dimension to sanitation. Women and girls are impacted the most by lack of basic sanitation. Water is intrinsic to sanitation. Waterborne sanitation means water, also water is needed to clean dry toilets. There are very important aquifers in the southern and northern parts of Windhoek that need to be protected from contamination that may result from unsustainable sanitation practices.