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IMPACT
RIGHT TO WATER
Right to Water
Through Amanzi Kumntu Wonke, the Equality Collective supports
rural communities to monitor water access, build collective power,
and strengthen municipal accountability.
Why this matters
In many rural parts of the Eastern Cape, water insecurity is a constant struggle. This is fundamentally linked to a local government in crisis, which is defined by multifaceted institutional collapse across multiple areas, including governance, accountability, and participation; poor investment in maintenance for infrastructure; and insufficient capacity and skills.
Importantly, we have managed to make water reliability improvements working within and notwithstanding state dysfunction.
Our approach
01
Community monitoring
We help communities monitor their own water systems, collect reliable data on water availability and leaks, and report to their municipalities.
02
Rights education
We build communities’ understanding of water rights and government duties.
03
Organising
We help communities get organised and set up water advisory committees, who then participate in all formal government participation processes.
04
Technical support
We strengthen the ability of local municipalities to do their work by providing expert engineering assistance.
05
Law and policy influence
We advocate, participate, and engage with national policy and law reform processes on local government, ensuring meaningful reforms that reflect rural issues are implemented.
06
Build relationships
Municipalities are made up of many different people and parts. We look for those who are capable and willing to work with us, and build trust and strong relationships with them.
Where we work
Our work has expanded across water schemes in Mncwasa, Dwesa, and Centane in Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, contributing to more accountable systems and improved water service delivery.
Achievements
3
water schemes
55,000
people reached
75
community monitors
R21,5 m
Leveraged for the refurbishment of Mncwasa
41% > 85%
water availability in Mncwasa improved (Aug 2022 to Dec 2025)