The use of modified shipping containers as CABs allow for the rapid installation on land, which is often steep and where space is limited. It also allows for the easy relocation of the CABs to other areas once new houses have been built. In comparison to brick CABs, building and maintenance costs are also reduced. A key factor is the use of materials that do not encourage vandalism and require reduced maintenance. 350 CABs have been installed with 300 caretakers attending to the operation and cleaning requirements. Each CAB services 1000 households, and an estimated 200 000 residents of informal settlements in Durban use them. 3500 local labourers were trained and employed during the construction and also benefited from acquiring skills as local builders. The CABs have become social development hubs, with health clubs (HCs), crèches, the food gardens and play areas, tuck shops and telephone services. Research by the Health Club facilitator, Africa Ahead, shows that the HC and CABs resulted in the development of a strong sense of social cohesion within these communities, which had previously been lacking. During 2010 and 2011 UKZN conducted surveys to measure the effectiveness of the programme, assess customer satisfaction, and provide feedback to guide service delivery. The results highlight that 71,7% of the sample reported that the presence of sanitation facilities in their communities addressed their household needs. A high 82,2% of households stated that the CABs significantly improved their lives. Reasons for dissatisfaction were analyzed and fed back to the planning and design team. An original weakness of the project was the fact that the CABs were unhygienic, poorly maintained and subject to vandalism and theft. This was addressed through the introduction of the caretakers and the operation and support team as well as the use of plastic fittings and pipes. The key ingredient for the success of the programme is the sound leadership provided by Neil McCleod as head of the e’Thekwini Water and Sanitation Department. McCleod and his team have spent the majority of their professional careers at e’Thekwini Metropolitan Municipality and this institutional memory (often lacking in many other municipalities) and a wealth of expertise have enabled project managers such as Teddy Gounden to explore alternative solutions to service delivery challenges often building on previous successful projects in the area. They are expert at accessing technical expertise and the funding available for necessary services. Partnerships with different institutions, such as Africa Ahead (NGO) and the UKZN, help them build social cohesion in communities and enlist their cooperation. e’Thekwini Metro outsources the targeting and training of the beneficiaries to Africa Ahead empowering residents to take ownership of the installation, maintenance and care of the CABs. Residents of informal settlements are often poor and lack resources and where they see the benefits of job creation and an improvement to the personal services provided by the municipality, they will more likely cooperate with the government. When the residents do not feel a sense of ownership, this often results in the destruction of government property. The UKZN conducted research to determine the effectiveness of the CABs and to explore the beneficiaries perceptions of the services received. This was crucial to prevent the vandalism of the CABs.
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