Viva con Agua Projects

WATER FOR ALL

Under the projects under the Water for All pillar, Viva con Agua South Africa follows a human rights-based approach, a framework that places water-oriented human rights at the center of policies, programs, and decision-making processes. It emphasizes the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals and seeks to promote and protect their access to safe water.

● We seek the improvement of service delivery, systems strengthening, and lastly, positive change through lobbying and advocacy.

NINA MANZI

One of the primary challenges that homeless individuals in Cape Town face is the lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities. To address the lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene faced by homeless individuals in the Cape Metropole area, the Nina Manzi initiative of Viva con Agua, South Africa, designed a mobile public WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facility. This initiative aims to restore the dignity of the most vulnerable members of society by ensuring their access to safe water and sanitation. Launched in August 2022, the project’s services integrate with a broader set of services provided by local government and non-profit organizations, creating a sustainable pathway out of homelessness. Through this growing list of partnerships, the Nina Manzi initiative provides additional services beyond sanitation to address the challenges faced in providing positive long-term pathways to the homeless.

WINS

Many schools in South Africa, especially in rural areas, are facing challenges when it comes to providing clean water and working toilets for their students. A report by the United Nations in 2021 highlights that, despite government efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation in South Africa, around 19% of schools still don’t have access to basic drinking water, and 43% of schools lack basic sanitation services. The WASH in Schools (WINS) project is a Viva con Agua initiative that aims to provide rural schools in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape with access to clean water, functioning toilets and handwashing facilities. VcA takes a holistic approach to promoting WASH in schools by not only repairing broken pipes and water storage tanks, and fixing broken down toilets, but to also ensure that there is school-driven plan in place to maintain clean and safe facilities.

Amanzi Kumntu Wonke

The Amanzi Kumntu Wonke (translates to ‘Water for All’) project is a joint initiative between two South African organizations, Viva con Agua South Africa and the Equality Collective. This partnership also brings in the Amathole District Municipality, the Mncwasa Water Scheme Community Consortium, and community volunteers. Equality Collective is a community-centered organization committed to advancing access to justice and building the capacity for collective participation. The aim is to improve service delivery, enable community surveillance as an accountability tool, and lobbying and advocacy to 6,100 households of approximately 35,000 people in the coastal region of the Mbashe Local Municipality.

ALL FOR WATER

In the projects under the All for Water pillar of our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program, Viva con Agua South Africa follows a community-based approach. A community-based approach is a method of addressing issues or implementing initiatives that involves active participation and engagement of the local community. It recognizes that communities have valuable knowledge, resources, and strengths that can contribute to their own development and well-being. We actively work toward mobilising All for Water through three mechanisms, namely: positive behaviour change; community participation; and, enabling joint collaborative action through social business and partnerships.

● We mobilise All for Water through behaviour change, community participation, and collaborative action.

Universal Languages for Behaviour Change

Viva con Agua uses art, music, and sport to promote positive changes in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. These creative mediums capture attention, engage emotions, and transcend language and cultural barriers, making them ideal for educating communities about WASH in an enjoyable and interactive way. By using murals, songs, and sports activities, complex ideas are communicated simply and memorably. These activities foster community interaction, a sense of belonging, and empowerment, leading to long-lasting behavioural changes and improved health and well-being within communities. Current projects associated with UL4BC are Sports 4 WASH, which includes football matches and fun runs, and Arts 4 WASH, featuring murals, music, and dance.

Umthombo

Viva con Agua South Africa, in partnership with Young Water Solutions, proudly presents the Umthombo Social Enterprise Programme—a groundbreaking initiative tackling South Africa’s water and sanitation crisis. This programme identifies and supports young innovators, equipping them with mentorship, expert-led training, and seed funding to develop sustainable businesses in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.

With over 3 million South Africans lacking access to clean water, Umthombo aims to create a new wave of “Manzi-preneurs” dedicated to delivering impactful solutions for underserved communities. The first cohort of eight entrepreneurs has already made significant strides, but additional funding is crucial to sustain and scale their transformative projects.

The programme also connects startups with key stakeholders, facilitating knowledge exchange, and creating pathways for long-term collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry experts. Umthombo is laying the foundation for a resilient and dynamic WASH ecosystem – one that not only supports individual enterprises but also drives systemic change in the sector, ensuring sustainable water and sanitation solutions for South African communities.

Bulungula Community Radio

Bulungula Community Radio has been broadcasting a weekly two-hour WASH program since August 2022, airing light entertainment as well as important WASH content. It has fast become a creative hub for youth, and community arts and music in Bulungula. Initially, BCR broadcasted to 69 villages with an estimated 100,000 population. In 2023 BCR started streaming internationally and has reached more than 150,000 unique listeners with VcA’s messaging through radio programming.