Two approaches to rural sanitation delivery: case study of Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa

Sanitation service delivery in South Africa is directly linked to the history of the country. The number of households lacking basic sanitation services in 2001 was approximately 4.7 million. This amounts to approximately 18 million people or 42% of the population. During August 2000 to June 2001, South Africa experienced one of the worst cholera epidemics in the country’s recent history. The outbreak was linked to outbreaks in Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia. By December 2002, South Africa had reported a total of 151 852 cholera cases. The efforts to combat the epidemic involved government at all levels and included interventions such as access to potable water, sanitation, and education. This paper compares the conventional approach to sanitation which was implemented before the cholera outbreak to the accelerated approach which evolved in the KwaZulu-Natal Province as a result of the outbreak.