Phumzela Park Community Project
Report- Phase One
Project Overview and Background:
Having accessed CRI (Corporate Responsibility Initiative)-backed funding of R90 000, FIVE x Zerho Toilet units (at R18 000 each – fully installed) were implemented at Phumzela Park, Rayton, Gauteng Province at the end of December 2014.
The installation included the Zerho Toilet and urinal with fittings for urine diversion, bricks for the floor and a steel top structure that doubles as a ‘bathroom’.
The Phumzela Park Committee nominated the five recipient households for Phase One; while communicating the Intent of the Project to everyone.
Guidance, from a minimal-interference perspective, was applied; giving the community members who wanted to get involved, the opportunity to do so.
The Phumzela Zerho Project members will be guided to expand their Phumzela Park Community Co-operative, creating continuity and opening up avenues for further CRI- and other contributions towards Phase Two for (sanitation and other) sustainable projects.
Site visits by Government and other interested parties will be hosted in collaboration with the Phumzela Committee, from early January 2015 onwards.
Primary Project Members:
Project Manager: Janice Whitehead
SG Co-ordinator: James Fehrsen
Community Installation Coordinator: Joseph Meoba
Phumzela Safety & Security: Klaas Mabuse
Summary of Actions and Results:
1. Top Structure: After viewing the chosen top structures on 11 November, a sample Zerho unit was delivered on 13 November 2014 in order to facilitate the custom design. Due to supplier delays, the five units for this project were only delivered late afternoon on 18 December 2014
2. Installation: Joseph Meoba volunteered and effectively actioned the installations with the guidance of the Project Management Team and support of the Committee (Klaas Mabuse).
3.Site inspection: On 26 December, JW accompanied by James Fehrsen (Director: SG), visited the site to view the completed installations and interacted with a few of the recipients.
4.Community Involvement: Thanks to the enthusiastic support of the Phumzela Committee members – especially Mr Mabuse and Mr Meoba – who positively impacted the entire installation process and community interaction.
Conclusion
Notwithstanding hiccups and delays, I believe Phase One of the Phumzela Community Project is successful; and happily the deadline of ‘before Christmas’ was met.
For both Zerho Waste Management Pty Ltd and the SG Cooperative, this project is the first of many Community Initiatives that will continue to add value to lives on many levels.
We’re looking forward to ongoing collaboration with Business Corporates to this end – specifically addressing Sanitation in informal communities.
Intention with Phumzela Community and Further Zerho Toilet Rollout
1. Each Phase One recipient household has agreed to become a member of Phumzela Community Co-op. There is no limit to who becomes a member and does contributions – guided by the Community’s ‘common bond’ agreement.
2. These contributions may be used to further the community interest; i.e. buying more toilets.
3. The formation of a co-operative (also known as a ‘stokvel’ or ‘society’) creates the ‘ownership-factor’ for the Zerho toilet a household is gifted with - among other benefits, which these members are already familiar with.
4. With the community being in a registered cooperative, they have the opportunity to apply for funding on behalf of their own community; supported by the transparent procedure and admin support structure offered by Sleeping Giant Cooperative.
For more information please contact us to discuss your possible involvement and contribution with projects such as this.
Site visits can be arranged by prior appointment.