Bridging the Gap: Assessing Sanitation Practices and Community Engagement for Sustainable Rural Development in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, South Africa

Background: Sustainable sanitation underpins Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2, which mandates safe, equitable services and the elimination of open defecation by 2030. Rural South African communities continue to face significant Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) challenges driven by economic, environmental and governance constraints. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was conducted in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. Quantitative data comprised household surveys (n = 246) and structured observations of VIP latrines (n = 50). Qualitative data were gathered from 20 semi-structured interviews with community representatives and four focus groups (n = 32). Results: While 63% of households owned VIP latrines, only 22% of the inspected facilities were in good working condition and 20% were abandoned; 58% required major maintenance. Major barriers to sustainable sanitation included limited financial capacity, structural damage related to a high-water table, gendered safety risks, and low community engagement in sanitation planning and maintenance. Conclusions: Achieving SDG 6.2 in rural South Africa requires co-productive governance that integrates infrastructure maintenance with community leadership. Recommended actions include delegated WASH committees, targeted subsidies for vulnerable households, routine gender and safety audits, and enforcement of environmental protection measures to secure long-term sanitation sustainability.