At the January 2020 Council meeting, the Drakenstein Municipality approved a policy for the subsidisation of farm workers’ access to water and sanitation on farms. This project will contribute positively to the Municipality’s vision of a city of excellence and sustainability.
This is one of the progressive steps the municipality has taken in its endeavour to uplift the living conditions of its residents in terms of this constitutional right.
Farmers must apply for the subsidy on a prescribed form, which will include a description and budget of the anticipated works to be undertaken by the farmer The subsidy is not intended to cover the full cost of the provision of access to water and sanitation for farm workers, nor does it replace the farmer’s legal responsibility in terms of the law.
The objective of the subsidy is to contribute a portion of the infrastructure costs of providing new and or upgraded existing water and sanitation infrastructure. This is a discretionary conditional grant funding opportunity for farmers in the rural areas of the municipality, and must directly benefit farm workers’ access to water and sanitation at their residences on these farms.
All applications received will be logged, assessed, site inspections may be conducted, and recommendations made to the Mayoral Committee regarding approval. Farmers must plan for and design the works as best suits their circumstances. To this end, approved building plans must be submitted for the proposed work together with the application for the subsidy.
Separate bathroom or toilet structures must be solid built structures and not temporary structures. Bathrooms must have at least a toilet pan and cistern, with a maximum capacity of 11 liters. A washbasin can also be fitted. Precast concrete-, fiberglass and plastic-type conservancy tank units as well as conservancy tanks constructed from structural brickwork are acceptable.
The Drakenstein Municipality is certain that this policy will go a long way in ensuring that farm workers in the rural areas of the Municipality gain access to improved water and sanitation facilities. The Municipality will also play its part in working with all role players to ensure that the utmost benefit can be derived from this project.