Rural Sustainable Villages Impact Report 2021

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The CHDM Sustainable Villages Programme (housed within the Municipal Health Services Directorate of the Chris Hani District Municipality) has been conducting a pilot programme (from 2009 to 2014) that has had, at its core, the implementation and support of a variety of sustainable technologies that were directed at assisting government to meet need for basic service, food security and environmental health within South Africa’s rural landscape . Two villages formed a part of this programme and valuable lessons were learned from this pilot. This new implementing phase will consist of 5 schools in 5 separate villages, however, the two schools in the pilot phase will continue to be supported as their experience and sustainability will form a valuable contribution to the overall programme.

This new project has demonstrated sustainable resource management at schools by using a biogas sanitation system which links to the school toilet system and then ultimately feeds the school’s agro-ecological food garden production. This is linked to a number of positive social, financial and local economic impacts.

Biogas stove

Nyanga High School biogas system

Rural Sustainable Villages Project 5