PERCEPTIONS ON ECOLOGICAL SANITATION IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF MASIYARWA COMMUNAL AREA IN ZVIMBA DISTRICT OF MASHONALAND WEST PROVINCE

PERCEPTIONS ON ECOLOGICAL SANITATION IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF MASIYARWA COMMUNAL AREA IN ZVIMBA DISTRICT OF MASHONALAND WEST PROVINCE

ITAI OFFAT MANYANHAIRE

MUTANGADURA–MANGEYA SANDR

Ecological sanitation technologies have taken prominence as sustainable ways of managing human
waste in communal settings. Since the introduction and adoption of such technologies in Zimbabwe
there has been limited evaluation of residents’ perceptions of these technologies. Thus, a Descriptive
Survey of residents’ perception on Ecological Sanitation Technologies was conducted using a pre-
tested questionnaire and key informant interviews with beneficiaries, triangulated with focus group
discussions, field observations, and secondary data sources. The cultural background of the
beneficiaries was observed to play a critical role in molding their perceptions towards the ecological
sanitation technologies (EcoSan). Generally, there was a negative perception towards the use of
humanure in leaf, stem, and root crops, with a clear show of disgust at the mention of such a
prospect. To achieve high levels of acceptability of the technologies, awareness campaigns should
target local community leaders (mainly councilors, chiefs, and kraal heads) as critical vehicles for
positive perception development and mobilization of the rest of the community.

Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa

2009