By Thapelo Molefe
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed last week’s National Water and Sanitation Indaba as a decisive step by the government to address South Africa’s water and sanitation challenges.
At the start of the two-day meeting on Thursday, the president admitted that the country’s water infrastructure was failing millions of people, and he insisted that the time for diagnosing problems was over.
Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter on Monday that the landmark Water and Sanitation Indaba last week had developed a clear plan for resolving challenges in the sector.
“The recommendations emanating from the indaba give cause for great optimism. A number of the suggestions and solutions are focused, evidence-based and accompanied by clear delivery timelines,” he said.
One of the major takeaways was the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency.
“The agency will be responsible for developing and managing national water infrastructure and will mobilise financing for water infrastructure,” the president noted.
Infrastructure development remains a central focus.
The Infrastructure Fund has already secured R23 billion for seven major water infrastructure projects, including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2, the Polihali Dam and the Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River.
Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration.
“The indaba resolved that there should be deeper collaboration between the Water Partnerships Office and the private sector to mobilise financing over the next three years,” he said.
Efforts to curb water wastage are also gaining momentum.
“A large percentage of South Africa’s purified water is being lost to leaks from municipal distribution systems,” the president acknowledged.
“Water services authorities will have to develop mitigation programmes that include adequate budgets for maintenance, reducing leaks, closing illegal water connections and strengthening metering, billing and revenue collection.”
Corruption and mismanagement within the sector are under heightened scrutiny.
“The crackdown on corruption and organised crime in the sector is being intensified,” Ramaphosa said.
“A National Water and Sanitation Anti-Corruption Forum will be set up in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit.”
Security of water infrastructure remains a pressing issue. The indaba mandated water service authorities to develop infrastructure security plans within six months to combat vandalism and theft.
Community participation will be pivotal, with the proposal to establish water committees to protect critical resources gaining traction.
“The indaba further resolved that communities should be more actively involved in the protection of our country’s water infrastructure,” the president said.
The government’s strategy extends to strengthening municipal capacities.
“Minimum competency regulations for water service providers will be developed, and municipalities will have to urgently fill key technical positions,” Ramaphosa explained.
Additionally, mechanisms will be developed to enable municipalities to efficiently utilise their Municipal Infrastructure Grant and Urban Settlements Development Grant for maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
The resolutions from the indaba, once implemented, promise to reshape South Africa’s water and sanitation landscape.
“The resolutions taken by the Water and Sanitation Indaba, once successfully implemented, will help us turn the tide in our ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and build a capable, ethical, developmental state,” the President said.
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