Local NGO aims to eradicate pit latrines

Soulbent Project recently replaced a nearly 20-year-old pit latrine in a squatter camp in the west and plans to do the same in surrounding areas.

The NGO known for its weekly clean-ups in Saulsville, Pretoria West says that the initiative is under its #Eradicatespittoilet campaign which started earlier this month.

“Many young kids are losing their lives through pit toilets, we need to educate the community and youth more about the dangers of pit toilets,” said Soulbent co-founder Mashudu Makhado.

The squatter camp is referred to by numerous names by the locals including, Mshongoville, Super Market, Renkeng and Phomolong.

Makhado said the pit latrine issue in the area has been ongoing for 20 years.

“We started this educational programme in January as we believe that pit toilets are a real crisis; we are losing future presidents, doctors, engineers and environmentalists who would one day have come up with a pit toilet eradication solution.

“Pit toilets pollute groundwater if they are not placed carefully,” Makhado continued.

More than 10 000 families around the squatter area use pit latrines and the NGO has been using toilet acid to clean them.

This toilet cleaner is an eco-friendly powerful waste digester. It is safe to use around people, and animals and will not affect the environment. It is an enzyme that “eats” the waste in the latrine and gets rid of the smell.

“Another major problem about pit toilets is flies and odour, to decrease or remove that you must use toilet pit acid.”

The NGO is calling on stakeholders including the Tshwane metro, the health department and Department of Environmental Affairs and Housing to join the fight.

Soulbent does its work on Fridays and Saturdays after school so youth are available and is calling on local stakeholders to assist with supplies.

“We are the voice, we are on the ground, and we have experienced and grown up around pit toilets. It needs to come to an end, we currently need Jojo tanks for rainwater, T-shirts and caps for awareness, toilet acid, toilet seats, toilet paper, sanitary supplies and soup,” Makhado concluded.

Moving forward, the NGO aims to continue generating awareness around issues such as rainwater harvesting amid a water crisis, river clean-ups and illegal dumping sites, food gardening, recycling, and rhino poaching.

To find out more about the project visit www.Soulbent.org.za or Soulbent project recycling and gardening services on Facebook or email Soulbent1@gmail.com.

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