Residents of the Qandu-Qandu informal settlement in Khayelitsha have received the first 60 full-flush toilets and 12 taps as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to dignified sanitation services.
The handover forms part of broader service delivery interventions in informal settlements across Cape Town. Since the start of the 2025/26 financial year, 4 158 toilets have been provided across various communities where it is legally and physically feasible to do so, in addition to existing sanitation infrastructure already in place.
The R1,8 million project in Qandu-Qandu represents a significant milestone for the community. Implementation required multiple approvals due to the area’s location within a wetland, which delayed construction until all environmental and regulatory requirements were met.
‘Our focus remains on ensuring that every resident, regardless of where they live, has access to dignified and reliable sanitation services where it is legally and physically possible to do so. We are pleased to have delivered this investment in Qandu-Qandu. I also urge residents to help protect these facilities by only flushing pee, poo and toilet paper, as anything else can cause sewer blockages,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
The newly installed full-flush toilets are connected to the City’s sewer network, offering improved convenience, reduced odours and a more environmentally sustainable solution. They are also easier and more cost-effective for the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate’s Informal Settlements Basic Services (ISBS) maintenance teams to service.
As part of standard practice, janitors will be appointed from the local community through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to clean and monitor the facilities. They also play a key role in reporting maintenance issues, which are addressed through the City’s service request system.
