In a decisive move to address the nation’s growing water challenges, the Department of Water and Sanitation convened a high-level two-day Water Indaba at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on 27 and 28 March. The prominent event underscored the urgency of the situation.
The Indaba drew the attendance of key national and provincial figures, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, her deputies David Mahlobo and Isaac Sello Seitlholo, and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. It further served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and strategise solutions to the multifaceted issues plaguing South Africa’s water sector.
In his keynote address, President Ramaphosa set the tone for the proceedings by clearly outlining the purpose of the indaba and acknowledging the gravity of the situation. He highlighted the stark reality that South Africa was one of the 25 most water-stressed countries globally and faced significant challenges. While the President commended the nation’s progress in expanding access to water to 88.5% of its population since 1994, he did not shy away from addressing the persistent and critical issues hindering the delivery of reliable water services. These challenges included ageing infrastructure, illegal connections, corruption and mismanagement.
President Ramaphosa further addressed the setbacks experienced in crucial water infrastructure projects, specifically mentioning the long-awaited Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the uMkhomazi Water Project. He emphasised the direct impact of these delays on key economic hubs, stating, “Gauteng and eThekwini are now grappling with water shortages, exacerbated by rising demand, high non-revenue water rates and delays in key projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 and the uMkhomazi Water Project – which are now finally in the implementation phase.”
President Ramaphosa celebrated the impending establishment of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency, proclaiming, “This will be one of the most significant reforms (in) the sector to date. This new agency will bring strategic alignment, consistency and accountability to the various institutional arrangements for water stewardship that have, to date, proven to be less than ideal.” The creation of a centralised agency is expected to streamline water resource management and
ensure greater efficiency in the planning and execution of water infrastructure projects.
Further contributing to the indaba’s objectives, TCTA CEO Percy Sechemane facilitated a focused session dedicated to Ensuring Raw Water Security. This session aimed to foster the development of concrete and actionable initiatives designed to safeguard and preserve the country’s precious water resources for future generations
