The ANC welcomes the commitment by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to spend over R1 billion to install waterborne toilets and upgrade wastewater treatment plants in Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo, a move aimed at removing the bucket system and latrine toilets in these two towns.
The ANC believes that the eradication of the bucket system is long overdue and commends the steps taken by the ANC Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to address the current backlogs of about 29 502 ventilated improved pit toilets, 15 275 pit latrines and 1 135 bucket toilets that need to be eradicated in Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.
This will go a long way towards bringing about a decent and better life to our people. However, the ANC further believes that there has been great improvement in this regard, as only 50% of households had access to decent sanitation in 1994. Today, more than 77% of households have access. Moreover, the ANC views this issue as a national challenge and therefore calls upon the government to speedily intervene in all provinces so as to ensure that the eradication of the bucket system is achieved throughout the country. I thank you. [Applause.]