Oudtshoorn Municipality Enhances Sanitation with Bidvest Portable Toilet Tender

In a definitive move to address the imperative needs of sanitation in the Greater Oudtshoorn area, the municipality has officially awarded a significant tender to Bidvest for the provision and upkeep of portable toilets. This decision, which aligns with the municipality's dedication to superior service delivery, transpired after the initial bid from Toploose was retracted and consequently removed from consideration.

This development is the culmination of a series of events that began on July 8, 2024, when the Human Settlement Department, represented by Lauren Jones and joined by Ward Councillor Tyatya, initiated a dialogue with the residents of Blackjoint. However, this engagement encountered limitations due to the restrained attendance, which included past employees of Bidvest—indicative of the complexities involved in community-based decision-making.

As part of its commitment to transparent and accountable workflows, the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality urges residents to aid in the oversight process. It is vital for community members to actively engage with Bidvest, the appointed service provider, and voice any issues pertaining to the service standards. To facilitate this, the municipality has constructed a formal mechanism where residents can pen their grievances to their respective ward councillors, who will in turn channel these concerns to the Human Settlement Department for action and resolution.

Bidvest’s area of service encompasses a broad expanse of more than 20 informal settlements, catering to the sanitary needs of over 1,900 dwelling units within the municipal jurisdiction. The contractual obligations include a comprehensive range of services covering the supply, rental, orderly placement, diligent servicing, and proactive maintenance of both chemical and VIP portable toilet units.

Servicing schedules stipulated in the agreement ensure that chemical toilets receive maintenance a minimum of twice a week, while VIP units are maintained once a month. These measures, including the crucial steps of cleaning, sanitization, and the upkeep of hygienic standards, are in place to accommodate approximately one toilet unit for every five households in the targeted settlements.

The disposal of the waste collected from these units is to be carried out at the Oudtshoorn Wastewater Treatment Works or another site approved by municipal representatives, maintaining environmental integrity.

Ultimately, the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality's resolve is to elevate living conditions and promote the well-being of all inhabitants. The partnership with Bidvest marks a strategic initiative toward enriching the community's quality of life through improved and accessible sanitation facilities.