In the heart of the bustling Cato Manor markets, the hum of commerce echoes as vendors trade fresh produce, household goods, and daily necessities. Yet, beneath the vibrant economic activity, a critical issue often goes unnoticed—lack of access to safe sanitation and professional waste management. For women, children, the elderly, and the environment, this problem poses a silent but significant threat.
The Current Struggle In many peri-urban markets, makeshift sanitation facilities are inadequate or entirely absent. This leaves market-goers, particularly women and children, with no safe or private spaces for basic human needs. Open defecation and unsafe waste disposal become the default, leading to contaminated surroundings, polluted water sources, and rampant disease outbreaks. For the elderly, who are more vulnerable to illness, the lack of hygiene can be debilitating.
Women bear the brunt of this burden. Without proper sanitation facilities, they face not only health risks but also the indignity and danger of seeking privacy in unsafe areas. For young girls, attending school or helping their families in the market becomes a daily challenge. The situation restricts their access to education and economic opportunities, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
A Solution that Works for All Imagine a different reality: one where every vendor, shopper, and passerby has access to clean, safe, and dignified sanitation facilities. Professional waste management systems efficiently handle market refuse, turning waste into a resource rather than a hazard. Nutrient recovery programs recycle organic waste, transforming it into valuable compost to nourish crops and gardens.
By introducing modern sanitation infrastructure in peri-urban markets, we can bring about profound change. Clean, accessible toilets would mean that women can participate fully in the economy without fear or shame. Children can learn and play in a safe environment, and the elderly can move through the market without the threat of illness looming over them.
Empowering Women and Protecting Children Access to safe sanitation doesn’t just improve health outcomes—it empowers women. With proper facilities, market vendors and shoppers are able to focus on their businesses without the constant anxiety of finding a clean, safe place to relieve themselves. This simple change can unlock economic potential, allowing women to contribute more effectively to their families' incomes.
For children, improved sanitation can reduce the spread of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases that keep them out of school and threaten their development. With healthier kids, families can save on healthcare costs and focus on education and future opportunities.
A Cleaner, Greener Community Professional waste management systems reduce the buildup of garbage, which often clogs drainage systems, leading to floods and water contamination. Through nutrient recovery, organic market waste is turned into high-quality compost, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and enhancing soil health. This cycle of renewal benefits the environment, the farmers, and the community as a whole.
With cleaner surroundings, the market becomes more attractive, drawing in more customers and boosting the local economy. Moreover, the reduction of waste in the environment lowers greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change.
The Long-Term Impact Introducing safe sanitation, professional waste management, and nutrient recovery to peri-urban markets is more than just a quick fix—it’s a sustainable solution that addresses multiple challenges at once. By providing infrastructure for today, we are laying the groundwork for healthier, wealthier, and more empowered communities in the future.
The environmental benefits extend beyond the market as well. With proper waste management, the surrounding ecosystems—rivers, soil, and air—remain cleaner, supporting biodiversity and improving the quality of life for everyone in the region. As markets grow and thrive, they will become models of sustainable living for other communities to follow.
Safe sanitation is not a luxury—it’s a right. For women, children, the elderly, and the environment, access to clean facilities and professional waste management can be life-changing. Together, we can turn the tide, building healthier communities, reducing environmental damage, and creating a future where everyone, regardless of where they live, can live with dignity and opportunity.
This is a journey towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all. Will you join us in making it a reality? We currently serve over 435 people daily with access to safe in-house sanitation and have created 4 job opportunities from the local community. Our goal is to reach 1000 households impacting 5600 people daily by July 2025. email info@liquidgold.co.za to get involved.
Article written by Orion Herman
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