Pretoria: Earlier in the year, the African Union declared 2026 the Year of 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.' This declaration elevated water and sanitation from basic service-delivery concerns to matters of strategic political priority.
According to South African Government News Agency, this continental focus aligns with the global development agenda, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation and the sustainable management of water resources. Water is a catalyst for economic transformation, climate resilience, public health, food security and regional stability. Yet this precious resource faces growing pressure from population growth, climate change, infrastructure backlogs, pollution and uneven access.
The global water challenge is particularly significant for Africa. The continent contributes relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions yet remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, changing rainfall patterns and growing pressure on water resources. These challenges threaten economic development, food security, public health and livelihoods. At the same time, Africa has significant opportunities to build climate resilience, strengthen water infrastructure and pursue sustainable, low-carbon development.
The Africa Water Vision 2063 aims to build a resilient Africa where sustainable water resources and safe sanitation are accessible to all. It recognizes that water security is fundamental to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, including inclusive economic growth, improved livelihoods, social development and a peaceful and prosperous continent. SDG 6 is at the center of this work, providing an international framework for measuring progress on water access, sanitation, water quality, water-use efficiency and sustainable water-resource management.
Reliable water and safe sanitation contribute to improved health, reduced hunger, better educational outcomes, greater gender equality and the inclusion of vulnerable communities. For Africa, achieving these ambitions requires more than national interventions. Rivers, groundwater systems and watersheds connect countries, making regional cooperation essential to sustainable water management. Partnerships between African countries can strengthen water security, support economic development and promote peaceful cooperation around shared resources.
South Africa's cooperation with the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project exemplifies successful regional cooperation. The project generates hydropower benefits for Lesotho while transferring water to South Africa, particularly to the Vaal River System. This demonstrates how shared water resources can strengthen regional integration, support economic activity and contribute to improved livelihoods.
South Africa is also translating the continental and international water agenda into action domestically, with the release of the National Water Action Plan providing a framework for addressing the country's water challenges. This is important because the success of Africa's water ambitions ultimately depends on local level actions in municipalities, communities, households, farms and businesses.
As July ended, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament, held under the African Union's 2026 theme on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation. The President underscored that access to clean water and safe sanitation is fundamental to human dignity, public health and Africa's long-term development, reaffirming South Africa's support for collective continental action.
The domestic dimension is particularly important as South Africa commemorates Women's Month. Water insecurity affects women and girls disproportionately, making water security a gender equality issue. Improving local water systems, expanding access to safe sanitation and ensuring women's participation in water management decisions are important steps toward advancing gender equality.
For South Africa, this means that response to water challenges must be people-centered and inclusive. Investment in infrastructure must be accompanied by effective maintenance, accountable institutions, sustainable water management and meaningful community participation. Women, particularly in underserved communities, must participate in the planning, management and governance of water resources.
From international commitment to SDG 6, to the African Union's Agenda 2063 and Africa Water Vision 2063, and finally to South Africa's own national water priorities, the message is clear: water security is central to sustainable development. The task now is to turn these commitments into tangible improvements in people's lives. Africa's water future will be secured through investment, innovation, regional cooperation, accountable governance and partnerships that put communities at the center.
As South Africa commemorates Women's Month, securing water is part of securing women's dignity, health, safety and economic participation. Ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation is about building a more resilient, equitable and prosperous Africa - one in which no person is left behind.