By OBAKENG MAJE

1 March 2025- The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina said they will continue to confront water supply challenges, whenever they rear their ugly heads. Majodina said this during the launch of National Water Month in Eikenhof, Johannesburg, Gauteng.

She further said the National Water Month is commemorated annually in South Africa during the month of March. Majodina added that, it is South Africa’s expansion of World Water Day, which is observed on 22 March and focuses its attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

“National Water Month is a moment to reflect on water supply challenges, strides we have made together to expand access to water, and the long road that we still need to traverse. The department and its partners reaffirm their unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing water challenges faced by communities across South Africa.

“Anchored around World Water Day observed annually on 22 March, this critical period highlights the urgent need to tackle water scarcity, improve infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to clean water and sanitation for all,” she said.

Majodina said the National Water Month programme is particularly significant as it aligns with Human Rights Month and International Women’s Day, underscoring the critical role of water as a fundamental human right and its disproportionate impact on women, who often bear the brunt of water scarcity. She said water is the foundation of life, essential for human survival, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

“Yet, millions of South Africans continue to face challenges in accessing clean water and safe sanitation. The government has elevated water to the top of its agenda, recognising that universal access to water and sanitation is not only a moral imperative, but also a prerequisite for sustainable development.

“It is befitting and symbolic that we are hosting this event in Eikenhof, Johannesburg. The City of Johannesburg and other parts of the province and country have experienced water supply disruptions,” said Majodina.

She said through the January 8 Statement and the State of the Nation Address (SONA), water has been elevated to one of the apex national priorities. Majodina said as a department and the water sector in general, they are determined to respond practically to this clarion call by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We welcome the announcement that the government will spend over R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years to revitalise roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports and power our economy. In response, our department is identifying key unfunded projects (both national water resource infrastructure and water services infrastructure) to be considered for funding by the Treasury.

“This will put the department in a good position to gain access to the R100 billion mentioned by Rampahosa. We are developing innovative ways of funding infrastructure,” she said.

Majodina said they are engaging local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R100 billion in infrastructure financing. She said to date, the Infrastructure Fund has secured R23 billion for seven large water infrastructure projects.

“We are taking a series of decisive actions to resolve the water crisis, to enable our people to get water where they live, whether in townships or rural areas. Starting this year, we will work with our municipalities to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services to ensure that there is adequate investment and maintenance,” said Majodina.

taungdailynews@gmail.com