South Africa has failed its people on the most basic human right of sanitation, ministerial sanitation task team chairwoman Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said on Wednesday.
“We need to revisit what went wrong,” she said in a speech prepared for delivery at a workshop in Joburg.
“South Africa still faces immense challenges related to water and sanitation.”
Madikizela-Mandela was unable to attend the workshop because she is recovering from an operation. Her speech was read to delegates by task team member Fazel Randera.
Madikizela-Mandela said the purpose of the workshop was to “craft a solution”.
“Has the government of today chosen to ignore the architectural and fundamental needs of its people?” she asked.
The ministerial task team had visited all nine provinces and local municipalities to look at the problem of sanitation.
It had found that service delivery was not prioritised.
“This was of great concern,” said Madikizela-Mandela.
She said poorly managed municipalities needed to be named and shamed.
“It's high time we bring back the power to the people.” – Sapa