By Johnathan Paoli
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has reiterated the government’s renewed commitment to water management, reassuring citizens that while the country’s water resources are secure, challenges persist in distribution and infrastructure.
Speaking after a meeting with Deputy President Paul Mashatile and senior officials, Majodina outlined efforts to develop an actionable plan ensuring water access for all South Africans.
“We want to assure South Africans that in terms of water security, our water is in the balance. We are quite happy about our water resource. However, we are not happy about water reticulation and the provision of water thereof,” she said.
Key priorities included supporting municipalities struggling with revenue collection, addressing water leaks, and curbing illegal water connections.
Majodina said these issues, compounded by a growing economy and population, have placed immense pressure on the country’s water provision systems.
Highlighting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration that water is South Africa’s top national priority, Majodina underscored the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including municipalities, national treasury, and the private sector, to tackle water challenges.
She stressed that water management is integral to housing and infrastructure development, as these sectors rely heavily on a stable water supply.
The Minister emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent a water crisis, including improving municipal efficiency, strengthening partnerships with the private sector, and creating strategies to secure water distribution.
She said recognising water as a life-sustaining resource, the government is committed to agile, coordinated efforts to enhance water security and ensure a sustainable supply for future generations.
She described the collaborative and urgent approach as aligning with the president’s vision of prioritising water management to address critical issues, safeguard resources, and improve infrastructure to meet the needs of South Africa’s growing population.
Municipalities owe the department over R2 billion, hampering essential maintenance and refurbishment projects.
The government is exploring new financing models, including private sector partnerships, to alleviate this burden and drive investment in water infrastructure.
Progress on flagship projects like the Giyani Water Project and the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was reviewed, which are aimed to bolster water supply to rural and urban areas alike.
Additionally, the recently passed National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) legislation is poised to streamline water resource management, attract private investment, and improve service delivery.
Set to launch by mid-2025, the NWRIA will consolidate fragmented responsibilities under one umbrella, enabling better planning and funding for critical projects.
This agency will also inherit the commercial operations of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, providing it with an asset base to support infrastructure development.
Majodina previously revealed that R53.8 billion has been spent over the past five years on water services infrastructure, but significant gaps remain.
She said that as the country grapples with its water challenges, today’s meeting signals a renewed commitment to addressing these issues head-on but maintained however that the path to sustainable water security will require sustained effort, significant investment, and unwavering political will.
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