Majodina urges bold reforms to secure South Africa’s water future

By Levy Masiteng

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has called for a fundamental shift in how South Africa manages its water resources, saying the country can no longer rely on traditional approaches to address mounting pressure from climate change, ageing infrastructure and rising demand.

Delivering the keynote address at the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) 2026 Biennial Conference and Exhibition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Wednesday, Majodina said government was moving beyond responding to recurring water crises and was instead implementing long-term reforms focused on innovation, stronger governance, modern technology and infrastructure investment.

The three-day conference, which runs until Friday, has attracted more than 2,000 delegates from South Africa, across the continent and abroad, including engineers, scientists, researchers, policymakers, municipal officials and private sector stakeholders.

The conference is being held under the theme, “Rethink Amanzi – Securing Our Future.”

“The theme of this conference could