In a significant stride towards improving public sanitation in the heart of the Mother City, Cape Town has achieved a remarkable milestone with its public toilet project, reaching over one million users since its inception in 2022, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This initiative, supported by the City of Cape Town, facilitated by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), and executed by the NGO partner Streetscapes, has evolved into a cornerstone of urban health and safety in the bustling Central Business District (CBD).
‘The project aimed to address a long-standing shortage of public sanitation in the city centre,’ says CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos.
‘It has evolved into a reliable service that supports the daily functioning of a busy and diverse CBD, while also ensuring stable employment for community members who manage and service the toilets,’
As of February 2026, the eight strategically placed mobile toilets along Adderley, Longmarket, Canterbury, and Barrack streets have recorded an impressive 1 005 604 visits, with 268 244 of these coming from homeless individuals.
Recently, an additional toilet has also been added to the two already positioned near the CBD Department of Home Affairs, bringing the total to nine.
Streetscapes’ data indicates that usage is on an upward trajectory, with a median monthly average of around 19,000 visits. Projections point towards total usage reaching approximately 230,000 visits by 2026. Available seven days a week from 7am to 11pm, these facilities are emerging as indispensable assets of urban infrastructure.
Cape Town Councillor Ian MacMahon highlights the project’s importance: ‘Access to clean, safe ablution facilities is a basic need. In a dense urban environment, it supports public health, urban management, and the overall quality of our public spaces. When we invest in essential services, people use them, and it makes a real difference on the ground,’
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert! Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
According to Kally Benito, CCID’s Manager of Urban Development, the project’s success is attributed to its operational consistency. ‘Since 2022, Urban Management has played a major role in ensuring the project operates consistently, safely, and reliably,’
Streetscapes director Jesse Laitinen echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the social impact of providing stable job opportunities and nine team members have successfully transitioned into permanent employment across various sectors within the first six months.
Beyond providing essential sanitation services, the toilets have also functioned as micro-safety hubs. The presence of trained attendants not only deters anti-social behaviour but also creates a safe environment for vulnerable users, particularly women.
This, in turn, alleviates pressure on nearby businesses, thereby benefiting the broader economic ecosystem of the CBD while preserving its appeal to tourists, Laitinen said.
Evangelinos points out that ‘the toilets provide dignity and essential services to the homeless community in town, as well as to visitors and workers in the CBD,’
The City officially recognizes the project as a powerful example of collaborative service delivery. ‘Partnerships like this are critical,’ MacMahon remarks, ‘working with the CCID and Streetscapes allows us to extend our reach and deliver services more effectively,’
The CCID is committed to continuing support for this project as an essential urban service. ‘Access to clean, safe, and free public ablution facilities is fundamental to a functioning city centre,’ Evangelinos concludes.
Future operational phases will focus on durability, cost-efficiency, and integration with other urban services. Streetscapes and the CCID are exploring options for more robust toilet units and designs to further embed the service into the city’s public infrastructure.
As Evangelinos anticipates, ‘We hope to build on the successes to date and see the service grow. The CBD needs at least six to eight additional sites, as the need for clean, safe and easily accessible ablution facilities continues to be in demand,’
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Supplied
