Ramaphosa calls for urgent reforms to fix water crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged immediate intervention to address South Africa’s worsening water crisis, warning that failing infrastructure, mismanagement, and corruption are threatening water security.

National Indaba Highlights Water Challenges

Speaking at the two-day National Water and Sanitation Indaba in Midrand, Gauteng.

Ramaphosa emphasised the need for bold reforms and swift action to stabilise water supply across the country.

Water shortages have triggered widespread public discontent, with communities expressing frustration over dry taps, poor water quality, and failing sanitation systems.

The crisis is further exacerbated by climate change and South Africa’s status as one of the 25 most water-stressed countries in the world.

Call for Cooperation and Governance Reforms

Given the growing discontent and pressure from the public, Ramaphosa highlighted the need for an urgent response from all levels of government and the private sector.

He urged municipalities to implement turnaround strategies and act on recommendations from the 2024 Water Summit and Drop Reports.

He also addressed financial mismanagement, revenue collection failures, and corruption in the sector, highlighting that several Water Boards are under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for fraud and mismanagement.

Despite significant funding through the Urban Settlements Development Grant and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, many municipalities have failed to reinvest in critical water infrastructure, worsening the crisis.

Major Infrastructure Projects Announced

Ramaphosa announced a range of significant infrastructure projects to address both immediate and long-term supply challenges.

These projects aim to improve water availability across the country.

He announced that the National Infrastructure Fund has secured R23 billion for key water projects, including:

• Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
• Construction of the uMkhomazi Dam
• Preparations for the Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River
• Polihali Dam, which will add 490 million cubic metres of water annually to the Vaal River System

While these long-term projects will improve water supply, Ramaphosa cautioned that they alone will not resolve South Africa’s water challenges.

He pointed to aging infrastructure, vandalism, and illegal connections as persistent issues that require urgent attention.

Urgent Action Needed

Ramaphosa warned that urgent action must be taken to avoid severe economic and social consequences, urging all stakeholders to prioritise solutions.

According to SABC News, the President emphasised the need for modern methods to improve water resource management.

He also called on local governments to address financial mismanagement and enhance revenue collection to prevent further service delivery issues.

What steps do you think are most important to solve South Africa’s water crisis and ensure long-term water security?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.