Providing basic services isn’t enough. MamQ has been advocating for the right to services and safety in South Africa’s informal settlements since the 1980s. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she quickly realized that the toilets and standpipes for clean water the government provided were quickly breaking down – and no one was repairing them. Her organization, Development Action Group, joined forces with IBP’s Asivikelane to organize and engage with the municipalities and local governments on safety and the upkeep of those services. Today, residents help ensure the safety of repair workers in the settlements, and they have forged good relationships with local leaders, who respond quickly to fix service problems when they arise.
Learn more at https://asivikelane.org/