George Municipality hands over buffalo tank flush toilets in Syferfontein and Wilderness Heights
In the photo above, Mayor Jackie von Brandis with stakeholders at the handing over of the Buffalo tanks in Wilderness
The George Municipality has handed over a total of 18 new Buffalo Tank flush toilets to residents in the informal settlements of Syferfontein and Wilderness Heights. This marks another milestone in the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene in these communities.
The initiative is part of a phased rollout, with Syferfontein piloting 55 toilets (20 completed in the 2024–2025 financial year and 35 scheduled for completion this budget year) and Wilderness Heights piloting 32 toilets (27 completed in 2024–2025 and the remaining 5 completed this budget year). Last week, 13 toilets were handed over in Syferfontein and 5 in Wilderness Heights.
Mayor Jackie von Brandis, it is important that we give dignity with services and that is what is happening today with the handover of the Buffalo Tanks. “I spoke to Aunt Hanna earlier and she said the toilet made such a huge difference in their lives,” Mayor Von Brandis said.
She said these projects makes a real difference to people’s daily lives and that is what we want in George. Von Brandis asked everyone to look after their toilets.
According to Simnikiwe Mbekushe, Deputy Director: Integrated Human Settlements, residents have expressed their satisfaction with the new sanitation facilities, noting that the flush toilets offer a more hygienic solution compared to the chemical toilets previously in use. The new Buffalo Tank flush toilets reduce human contact with waste, minimise odours and flies, and promote proper hygiene through accessible handwashing taps. These improvements are especially beneficial for women, children, the elderly, and disabled community members, who now have safer, easier access to sanitation. Special units with handrails were provided for disabled beneficiaries, while elderly households were consulted on the best placement of shared toilets.
Mbekushe said no challenges were encountered during installation, and the project aligns with the Municipality’s broader sanitation and infrastructure plans. By introducing these units, the Municipality has been able to reduce the use of chemical toilets in the wards by 65%, creating a cleaner and safer environment for residents.
Mbekushe said with the handover of one of the units on the premises of Elizabeth Brown (83), she is one of the elderly in the area and it was agreed that the toilet was installed on her premises for convenience.
Cllr Marlene Barnardt, Ward Councillor for Ward 4, said Oom Koos and aunt Hanna were one of the first elderly couples that received a toilet in the pilot project. They are very happy with this development and it is excellent that this pilot became a fully-fledged project. Barnardt thanked all involved for excellent work done.
Cllr Jean Safers, MMC for Human Settlements, said “we as George Municipality are accelerating the roll-out of toilets in the informal settlements to give our people dignity with services. He said with regards to Mrs Brown, she is one of the oldest people in the Wilderness Heights settlement and they aim to make life a little bit easier by putting the toilet in her yard.
Community members are urged to protect and maintain the new toilets, which are shared among five households per unit, with each household provided a key. Residents are encouraged to ensure that the toilets are used only by those allocated, in line with national water and sanitation norms and standards.
George Municipality has successfully delivered improved sanitation services to informal settlements in Ward 21, with a total of 67 toilets handed over to residents during the 2024/2025 financial year. The most recent handover took place in July 2025 in Bhekela informal settlement in Thembalethu, where 19 waterborne Buffalo Tank flush toilets were officially handed over.
Looking ahead, the Municipality plans to expand this sanitation intervention to other informal settlements as funding becomes available, ensuring more residents can benefit from improved hygiene and safety.
Cllr Jean Safers, MMC for Human Settlements and Mayor Jackie von Brandis with officials and beneficiaries of Buffalo Tank toilets in Syferfontein.
Mayor Jackie von Brandis at the handover in Wilderness Heights with oom Koos en Johanna Frans in the background, also living in the Wilderness Heights Informal Settlement.
Mayor Jackie von Brandis testing out the toilet and handing over the key to Elizabeth Brown.