National WASH Coalition
There are many forms of collaboration, initiatives and structures in South Africa. These include a comprehensive coordination programme for water services called “masibambane” meaning “let us hold hands.” There are also water sector forums in each province, and national, provincial, and district sanitation task teams. In addition, a WASH coalition was established in 2002 to support WASH campaign activities.
Focus
Since its launch, the South African WASH Campaign has gradually grown and is now becoming an integral part of the work programme of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and its partners. The campaign is targeting the public with health and hygiene messages designed to create awareness of the importance of good hygiene in improving health.
In 2003 DWAF, in partnership with Unilever, officially launched the WASH campaign for schools in South Africa, which helps to promote hand washing with soap as an effective means of saving lives.
Milestones and achievements
The WASH coalition has been involved in :
- a survey on the national state of WASH issues, for example in 2009 carried out of the impact and effects of WASH interventions during the 2008/9 cholera outbreak;
- the development of guidelines and support tools to streamline sanitation planning and the implementation of projects by municipalities;
- organizing and celebrating milestone events such as the Global Handwashing Day, the Sanitation and Hygiene Week and Women’s Month: a celebration of women’s achievements in sanitation and lobbying for gender mainstreaming within the field;
- competitions, exhibitions, workshops and roadshows to promote awareness of WASH issues, especially to target audiences which cannot be reached adequately in other ways;
- developing and disseminating educational posters on the operation and maintenance of sanitation.
The coalition worked as well in private sector partnerships and school programmes.
Activities related to the International Year of Sanitation raised the profile of sanitation and helped accelerate access for all. The coalition sought to meet the challenges in sanitation services delivery through highlighting the existing backlogs and mobilizing municipalities to increase their pace in eradicating them.
