By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has highlighted the urgency of advancing water security and dignified sanitation across all communities, while strengthening partnerships across Africa and the Global South.
Mashatile was speaking at the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue, which concluded at Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg.
More than 1,500 delegates are in attendance, including government leaders, water utility executives, researchers, civil society organisations, youth innovators, and private sector partners.
Held under the theme: “Towards Sustainable Water and Sanitation Security in Africa”, the dialogue reflects and acknowledges the shared exposure to climate shocks, rapid urbanisation and the systemic pressures facing public infrastructure and institutions.
The country’s second-in-command said he was confident that the dialogue would facilitate direct, outcome-focused engagements among the Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Boards, regulatory bodies, and local municipalities.
“As leaders in the sector, it is crucial to utilise this dialogue to establish transparent and strategic public-private partnerships. Such partnerships have the potential to secure the substantial long-term capital needed to achieve the ambitious infrastructure renewal and development objectives outlined in the National Water Resource Strategy III.”
He believes that the dialogue should rapidly accelerate the adoption of tested African and Global South best practices.
“Reducing water loss is very important. To achieve environmental safety and ensure water security for future generations, it is essential to take deliberate actions to reduce water consumption, promote the reuse and recycling of water, and implement rainwater harvesting.
“This approach is vital not only for the financial viability of water utilities but also for safeguarding public health.”
He also took the time to call on the African continent to commit to implementing the Africa Water Vision 2063, which establishes a framework for a unified, long-term approach to water security, transitioning from fragmented responses to collective action.
In her address, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina reiterated and emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing the delivery of water and sanitation services across the country, especially in disadvantaged and underserved communities.
“Our commitment is deeply rooted in restoring dignity to our communities. We are intensifying our work in the most disadvantaged and underserved areas. Every household, every school and every clinic deserves safe and dependable water. This is not just an aspiration; but a right we are actively realising through investment, partnership and accountable delivery,” Majodina said.
AWSISA was officially established in August this year through a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Department of Water and Sanitation. This milestone marked a shared effort to strengthen collaboration across the sector and expand access to clean water and dignified sanitation for communities in South Africa and across the continent.
The agreement cemented a unified commitment to unlock investment, drive innovation, and accelerate service delivery. It also provides a framework for aligning sector strategies and plans, promoting joint engagement on policy and regulatory reform, advancing research, data-sharing, and sector-wide capacity building, amongst others.