Speaking notes for Minister Senzo Mchunu at the media briefing reflecting on one year in office
Salutations and introduction
I would like to acknowledge the presence of:
The Deputy Ministers of the Department, Dikeledi Magadzi and David Mahlobo,
Acting Director-General, Ms Nthabiseng Fundakubi,
Deputy Director-General: Water Services Management, Mr Risimati Mathye,
Deputy Director-General: Water Resource Management, Ms Deborah Mochotlhi,
Members of the media, those present here today and those on virtual platforms –
And all South Africans watching,
A very good morning to you all!
It is indeed an honour to stand here this morning and address you, as we reflect on ‘One Year In Office’, taking stock of the achievements, challenges and future work by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
We present ourselves here this morning, addressing members of the media and South Africans as per the imperatives contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
The mantra of the Department of Water and Sanitation is Water is Life. Sanitation is Dignity; this mantra is closely linked to two non-derogable rights in the Constitution: namely, the rights to life and dignity.
As we strive each day to ensure that South Africans are provided with access to water and basic sanitation services, I must admit that it is no easy undertaking. There have been many hurdles we’ve had to jump over, many bottlenecks we’ve had to undo in order to realise most of the gains we have made to date. We do however, want to state that notwithstanding the progress we will report on today, we still have a long way to go but understand us to be ready for the task and dedicated to serving the citizens of South Africa!
A stronger department
In assuming Office, one of the tasks we prioritised was the stabilising of the Department and to that end, we appointed a Director-General, who started on the 3rd of January 2022, an emgineer by the name of Dr Sean Phillips.
We set about, ensuring that all senior posts are filled, namely that of CFO, DDG:Corporate Services, DDG: Water Services Management and DDG: Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement.
When doing so, we took a stern decision that we would employ people who are fit for purpose – with the necessary qualifications, skills and capabilities.
I am happy to report that with all of these senior posts filled, the department is fully functional.
Delivery mechanisms
Now, the Department of Water and Sanitation comprises two main streams, namely: Water Resource Management and Water Services Management; we will today, outline progress on both.
On Water Services Management, we have several projects throughout the country and others in conjunction with neighbouring countries at various stages, aimed at ensuring water provision and water security.
We have said on a number of ocassions that we have prioritised Water Services Management while continuing to keep focus on Water Resource Management.
The context in which prioritisation has taken place:
• Incomplete projects that must be completed as soon as possible
• To address the problem of incapacity in municipalities to deliver on water and sanitation services
• Desperation of communities for water
• Storms in the KZN province and the drought in Gqeberha
• Lack of resources
• Old and dysfunctional infrastructure
Based on the above, it has become imperative that we explore many delivery mechanisms and increase our tempo.
We have long annouced the recofiguration of Water Boards; that process is underway and by the end of the year, we would have made substantial progress. The aim is to use Water Boards (via Directives) as one of the delivery mechanisms for water and sanitation to communities, with limited differentiation between bulk and reticulation.
Furthermore, one of the mechanisms we are employing is the use of the Department’s Internal Construction Unit.
Some District municipalities
We are also working with the private sector, where traditionally it has been via tenders – but we are now working on upscaling partnerships with the private sector. In achieving this, the Department of Water and Sanitation has established a National Water Partnerships Programme and Water Partnerships Office in the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The Water Partnerships Programme will run 5 programmes in the main, namely:
• Non-revenue water
• Management contract
• Wastewater treatment
• Water re-use
• Sea water (desalination)
We have partnerships with the private sector that have already worked out, with Lebalelo Water User Association, Ivanplats Mine and with regards to the Vaal Gamagara project.
On the Giyani Water Project, substantial progress has been made in respect of the pipeline from Nandoni to Nsami; we have 4km left for the connection. Work will get underway at the beginning of September to refurbish the existing water works. In Malamulele, we anticipate the reservoir to be completed and operational by February 2023.
There is another project which relates to drawing water via the De Hoop Dam pipeline and Flag Boshielo to the Mokopane pipeline; this is a joint venture with mines and Lebalelo Water User Association. We are monitoring progress in respect of this partnership and the project.
In Gauteng, we are continuing to engage with the City of Tshwane in respect of the water challenges in Hammanskraal. In Emfuleni, there is generally good progress around 4 areas of work, that being refurbishment of treatment plants and pumpstations; unblocking, replacing and refurbishment of pipes. We’ve engaged with Emfuleni Local Municipality for them to ensure full responsibility for their water and sanitation systems.
In the Free State, we announced that we would be intervening via Bloem Water on particularly, the water and sanitation challenges that continue to plague Matjhabeng, Mangaung, Kopanong and Maluti-A-Phofung and we are indeed doing so.
Now, the situation in Kwa Zulu Natal has been exacerbated by the localised flooding in the province, resulting in damaged infrastructure critical for the provision of water and sanitation services.
To this end, we have intervened in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, issuing a Directive for Mhlathuze Water, as an Implementing Agent to intervene, as a means of addressing challenges on the performance of water and sanitation functions.
We have the uMkhomazi Water Project which is set to benefit eThekwini, Msunduzi, uMgungundlovu,Ugu, Ilembe and Harry Gwala. The project will transfer water from the uMkhomazi River to augment the uMngeni Water Supply System (uMngeni WSS), which supplies domestic water to more than 5 million people and industries in South Africa’s third largest regional economy, viz the Durban and Pietermaritzburg regions.
We recently held a meeting with the all the affected Water Services Authorities, the Water Boards in KZN and the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and reached consensus on the offtake agreements which will have to be entered into. I am happy with the current trajectory and the willingness of all parties to work together.
Yesterday, residents in Tongaat took to the streets, voicing their distress in respect of lack of water in the area. I will be addressing them later today.
Our intervention in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality has yielded positive results; as we continue to work together, with the Municipality, we are exploring other ways to elongate the use of available water.
One way in which we have assisted the Metro was through the Nooitgedacht Water Scheme which released its first drops at the end of March this year. This has largely assisted in increasing water supply to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. We successfully convened a Workshop this past Tuesday, focusing on creating a water resilient Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. The participation and inputs received from all attendees (which comprised members of academia, business representatives, amongst others) were overwhelming.
Institutional arrangements
The Bill on the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency has gone through, and we are now at the consultation stage.
We were expected to establish another entity for Regulation, we have opted for an alternative due to financial constraints. We are happy that the Regulator is in place, it has taken the form of a Branch and will provide Secretariat support to 11 Commissioners.
Water rights have evolved over time, with the main law being from 1956; the changes have given rise to challenges by some Water User Associations on the transfer of licenses where ownership changes hands and the issue is: should land transfers automatically also lead to license transfers?
We are aware that this very aspect was before the Constitutional Court yesterday. We will convene a workshop to deal with this subject, to be attended by all the relevant stakeholders, including the Water Tribunal.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the media, we are in public administration and whilst it comes with a certain honour, it also places great responsibility on us in Office.
Public administration entails accountability, transparency and responsiveness; we were elected into Office as a result of the citizens exercising their democratic right. We are in Office to be of service to the people, who are the first law!
As a Department tasked with a resource as precious as water, which is not only vital for life but also for economic development, we are very alive to the task at hand and we remain resolute in our stance.
I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for your time and attention.
Thank you.
Source: Government of South Africa