Kaloola Home NPC is a South African non-profit company headquartered in Durban that delivers South Africa’s first-ever paid sanitation service to low-income urban homes for an affordable monthly fee. Its unique selling point is its high-quality toilet technology that delivers waterless, hygienic, circular economy and chemical-free sanitation. In informal settlements, where most residents presently rely on shared chemical toilets or community ablution blocks, Kaloola is changing lives every day. 

Kaloola is part of a broader family of service initiatives created by Loowatt Ltd, a British technology developer which also sells toilets in the UK for high-quality applications such as boutique camping. In 2020 Loowatt launched Loowatt MG in Antananarivo, Madagascar, a service now reaching 1,000 homes with a further 90,000 users reached annually through portable services for events and workplaces. Loowatt MG also produces biogas and fertilizer from waste in partnership with the city waste utility.

Kaloola was launched in April 2023 by Loowatt Ltd in partnership with Khanyisa Projects, a South Africa consultancy with 20 years’ experience in sanitation innovation for Durban’s underserved communities. Launch funding was through grants from South Africa’s Water Research Commission (WRC) and Unilever’s TRANSFORM program. In 2024-2025, further growth was achieved through support from P4G (Pioneering Green Partnerships) and a partnership with BORDA South Africa, a leading developer of circular-economy waste solutions based in Durban

The Loowatt Group is driven by a powerful motivation to achieve transformative progress in sanitation for the hundreds of millions of people living in urban informal settlements and townships, in South Africa, Madagascar and in due course other African countries.

Kaloola has Public Benefit Organisation Status and is BBBEE Level 1. The enterprise is presently delivering services to c. 200 homes in Durban and demonstrating high levels of customer satisfaction and on-time payments. Toilet sales, customer care and services are delivered through local community hires. There is significant demand with a current waitlist of over 300 households, and a need to fund capital costs of expansion, as the company is already showing a strong pathway to operational sustainability.  

Kaloola’s board now has the potential to lead a major shift in the status of urban sanitation service delivery across South Africa through a pioneering, technology-led business model that proves a new sanitation paradigm where safe, dignified, at-home sanitation reaches millions.

Role Purpose

Kaloola is recruiting for a Chair to lead the board in strengthening independent oversight, strategic guidance, and fund-raising capability. The current board is comprised of 5 individuals who bring deep knowledge of innovative non-sewered sanitation systems, and the creation and building of impact-led products, services and enterprises.

Ideal Candidate

• A minimum of 20 years’ experience in private and/or public sector planning, development and financing of urban infrastructure and services.

• A strong network with CSI funders, philanthropists, foundations, donor communities, and development financing across South Africa.

• Understanding of government and municipal funding of public services, including for informal settlements in South Africa, and ideally, understanding of these communities.

• Proven strategic leadership abilities and experience serving on boards, steering committees, or advisory bodies.

• Strong alignment with the organisation’s mission, values, and commitment to social and environmental impact.

• High ethical standards, sound judgement, and a strong commitment to good governance.

Further information about Non-Executive Chair responsibilities 

1. Governance & Oversight

• Offer independent and objective judgement on all Board matters. Lead meetings as Chair, ensure regular reviews of organisational policies, risk management practices, financial oversight, and strategic decisions. Drive strong belief in Kaloola’s opportunities for growth and impact.

• Ensure the organisation complies with the Companies Act, King IV principles, and any other relevant regulatory and governance frameworks.

2. Fundraising & Stakeholder Engagement

• Leverage networks, reputation, and insight to help identify funding partners including philanthropic organisations, corporates, development finance institutions, and government stakeholders. We expect Kaloola to initially require CSI and other grants. Over time and through partnerships including development finance and government, the business aims to develop larger, centralised asset financing resources to support service expansion. The Chair will have the opportunity to influence and drive such strategies. 

• Participate in high-level fundraising meetings or presentations alongside the executive leadership. 

3. Strategic Guidance, Thought Leadership, and Community Relations

• Support the Board and executive team in long-term strategic planning, including organisational scaling, programme design, and sustainability planning.

• Provide insight into stakeholder dynamics, community-business relationships, and participatory development approaches.

Time Commitment and Term of Appointment:

• Approximately 4 formal board meetings per year, which may be virtual or in person. Participation in sub-committees or working groups, ad hoc availability for strategic consultations, fundraising engagements, and advisory support.

• This is a non-executive and non-operational role, but regular engagement is expected.

• The initial term is 2-3 years (to be discussed) renewable by mutual agreement.

  Remuneration

The NED role is unremunerated in alignment with sector norms for NPC governance.  Reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of Board duties will be reimbursed.