Ramaphosa calls for global, local investment in South Africa’s water future

By Thapelo Molefe

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is intensifying large-scale water infrastructure projects to address mounting supply pressures and secure sustainable access for households, communities, and industries for decades to come.

Speaking at the Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramaphosa cited the recent launch of the second phase of the Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant in Gauteng as proof that the country can deliver “mega project investments” that directly meet demand.

“This flagship project is a demonstration of our government’s commitment to infrastructure investment, economic upliftment and ensuring sustainable water supply for future generations,” he said.

The System 5A plant at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Works in Vereeniging—part of Rand Water’s System 5 initiative—is the largest of its kind in Africa.

Construction, costing about R3.9 billion, began in 2019 and was rolled out in stages.

Phase 1, which came online in late 2022, added 150