Equality of access to sanitation in South Africa

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Equality of access to sanitation in South Africa
Authors:	Ndinda, Catherine Uzodike, Ufo Okeke Winaar, Lolita
Year:	2013
Periodical:	Africanus (ISSN 0304-615X)
Volume:	43
Issue:	1
Pages:	96-114
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	sanitation race relations regional disparity
Abstract:	In South Africa, equality, fairness and justice are values embedded in almost all the policies developed since 1994 and this is understandable given the inequalities that were institutionalized and entrenched by the apartheid regime. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) explicitly advanced a social development agenda by setting targets for the provision of water, sanitation and electricity. So far a lot has been achieved in ensuring equality of access to these services, but inequalities persist with respect to regions, race and income. Using SASAS (South African Social Attitudes Survey) data (2005-2009), this article examines equality of access to sanitation across 'race' and region. The authors argue that there is a disjuncture between the free basic sanitation policy and its implementation. They recommend that greater targeting and more innovative strategies are required to ensure that the most vulnerable groups have access to sanitation, as it plays an important role in enhancing their quality of life and their contribution to local economic development. Bibliogr., note, sum. [Journal abstract, edited]