The VUNA project aims to develop a sanitation system that is affordable, produces a valuable fertiliser, reduces pollution of water resources
and promotes health. The social acceptance component of this project is vital because effective sanitation is not only about providing
a well-designed toilet and effective waste management, but also about providing users with a facility that caters to their needs and is
sensitive to their cultural lifestyle. The social aspects of the study used qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate acceptance
of a Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilet (UDDT) and to explore the role of health and hygiene education in promoting acceptance, usage
and maintenance of the UDDT. Key findings indicate lower levels of acceptance of UDDTs amongst the elderly, who are accustomed to
traditional pit toilets. The quantitative survey confirmed that 14% of household still maintain pit latrines on their premises, and an association
was found between low satisfaction with UDDTs and the presence of a pit latrine. The qualitative results reveal that many residents
aspire to own a flush toilet, which is perceived to be indicative of household wealth. A dominant concern about UDDTs was their odour.
There is a clear need for communities to be informed of the benefits of UDDTs in the context of water scarcity, and that odour issues can
be limited by effective UDDT management and maintenance. There is a further need to address the perception that UDDTs are only a
temporary sanitation measure until the roll out of flush toilets. This paper discusses the plan for health and hygiene education in region
in the future based on these findings.