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Partnership drives research to improve sanitation in Khayelitsha

4 months Anetta Mangxaba 176 Views

By Staff Reporter

Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation and the SACMST research team, ready to meet residents and hear their views on how to improve water and sanitation services in Khayelitsha.
 

A new partnership between the South African College for Mathematics, Science and Technology (SACMST), a non-profit organisation, and the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, is driving community-led research on how to improve sanitation services in Ward 91 in Khayelitsha.

As part of its grant funding programme, the directorate awarded SACMST funding earlier this year to lead a community-based research project. 

SACMST was among 11 organisations selected in May 2025 to receive support for local initiatives aimed at strengthening water and sanitation service delivery. These partnerships are required to make a measurable impact, with sustainable improvements which directly benefit residents living in communities where there are challenges. 

Through their grant, SACMST has trained and employed seven young women from Khayelitsha as field workers. To date they have conducted 800 household surveys, following training sessions on 19 and 20 August. 

The information collected will be analysed by academic researchers to produce a comprehensive report, which will be completed by mid-December 2025 to guide management with recommendations for service enhancements.

(From Left to right) Lovemore Musa Ngubane from SACMST with Nokwanda Kuselo, Field Worker)and Councilor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, during the field worker training session held in Khayelitsha on 20 August 2025.

The research seeks to:

  • Identify household behaviours that contribute to sewer blockages and where they are most common.
  • Investigate reasons for building structures over sewer pipelines.
  • Examine the types of substances and objects being disposed of into sewers.
  • Assess household connections to public drains or on-site systems such as septic tanks.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment and maintenance standards.
  • Document the condition of manholes and pump stations.
  • Track the frequency and seasonal occurrence of blockages and review current control measures.

‘The outcome of this independent research by our community partner SACMST will be very valuable. Their insights will help shape how we approach delivery of sanitation services in Khayelitsha and guide how the City can strengthen relations with the community to improve the reliability of the sewer system,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation,

More about the SACMST

Established in 2015, SACMST is a non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing socio-economic and technological challenges in disadvantaged communities. By partnering with government, academia and industry, it works to advance innovation and sustainable development in water, sanitation and waste management.

‘The City’s support not only provides the resources which enable us to produce credible findings on sanitation challenges, but also creates employment opportunities for young people in Khayelitsha, while imparting them with research skills. Ultimately, we hope that what we identify as root causes and recommendations for solutions to the City, will improve the quality of life for residents in Ward 91,’ said Lovemore Musa Ngubane, Executive Director of SACMST.