President Cyril Ramaphosa Urges Immediate Reforms to Address South Africa’s Escalating Water Crisis in Gauteng

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sounded the alarm about South Africa’s deepening water crisis, urging for swift intervention to tackle the country’s failing water infrastructure, mismanagement, and corruption.

Speaking at the National Water and Sanitation Indaba in Midrand, Gauteng, Ramaphosa made it clear that the nation’s water security is at risk if immediate action is not taken.

The Growing Water Shortage Crisis

The two-day event highlighted the alarming state of South Africa’s water systems, with widespread shortages and poor water quality fueling public frustration.

Communities are grappling with dry taps, inadequate sanitation systems, and a lack of reliable water supply.

The situation has only worsened due to the impact of climate change, with South Africa ranking among the world’s 25 most water-stressed nations.

Urgent Need for Reforms and Cooperation

President Ramaphosa called for bold reforms and swift action to stabilize the country’s water supply.

With mounting public pressure, he stressed that all levels of government and the private sector must work together to find solutions.

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

Ramaphosa also addressed the financial mismanagement and corruption within the water sector, revealing that several Water Boards are under investigation for fraud and mismanagement by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

Despite funding through various grants, including the Urban Settlements Development Grant and the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, many municipalities have failed to reinvest in essential water infrastructure.

New Infrastructure Projects to Tackle Water Supply Issues

In an effort to address both immediate and long-term water supply challenges, Ramaphosa unveiled a series of significant infrastructure projects.

The government has secured R23 billion for key projects aimed at improving water availability across the country. These include:

• Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project

• Construction of the uMkhomazi Dam

• Preparations for the Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River

• The Polihali Dam, which will add 490 million cubic metres of water annually to the Vaal River System

However, while these long-term projects will help improve water availability, the president warned that they will not be enough to resolve the crisis on their own.

Aging infrastructure, vandalism, and illegal connections continue to pose significant barriers to effective water supply.

The Need for Immediate Action to Prevent Crisis Worsening

Ramaphosa emphasized that immediate action is required to avoid severe economic and social consequences.

He called on all stakeholders to prioritize solutions and take responsibility for addressing the issues at hand.

The president also advocated for modern water resource management practices and urged local governments to address financial mismanagement and improve revenue collection to prevent further service delivery failures.

As South Africa continues to face its water crisis, it remains crucial for both the public and private sectors to come together and implement effective solutions to ensure long-term water security for the country.