Ramaphosa Calls For Responsible Water Usage

During my visit to the Waterberg last week to launch the District Development Model, I spent time talking to people in the villages around Lephalale, at the Medupi power station and to business people in the town.
 
They all raised access to water as a serious issue: to sustain their lives and support agriculture in villages, to drive business, and to supply the world’s fourth largest coal-fired power station.
 
South Africa is a severely water stressed country. We do not have mighty rivers that flow all season like in other parts of Africa and the world.
 
In fact, with an average annual rainfall of 500mm compared to a global average of 860mm, we are the world’s 30^th driest country.

A decade-long drought has put immense pressure on our water systems and has had a devastating impact on agriculture and communities, especially in the Eastern Cape, Northern