Deputy President Paul Mashatile has stressed the significance of strategic engagement and collaboration in light of the water shortages affecting many municipalities, including those in Gauteng.
The deputy president was addressing the leadership of Rand Water in his role as the chairperson of the Water Task Team.
Water Task Team to address water challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa established a Water Task Team. The team is led by the deputy president and aims to address water challenges in various areas in the country.
Rand Water, according to the Presidency, is the largest bulk water utility in Africa and one of the largest in the world. It provides bulk potable water to more than 11 million people in Gauteng. Also in parts of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West.
“In our efforts to avert a water crisis in Gauteng province and other municipalities around the nation, we must have strategic engagements and collaboration with the Rand Water leadership to urgently find solutions to this pressing issue,” said the deputy president on Wednesday.
During the engagement, the country’s second-in-command also received an update on Rand Water’s efforts. These are efforts aimed at ensuring the efficient provision of water to Gauteng residents.
Rand Water has a global reputation for providing high-quality water. Its customer base includes metropolitan municipalities and local municipalities. Also mines and large industries in the province and surrounding regions.
Mashatile commended efforts by Rand Water to ensure that millions of people have access to water constantly. He said this has a significant impact on the wellbeing of society. This as it relates to socio-economic factors such as health, food security and general welfare.
Visit to Rand Water Zuikerbosch Plant in Vereeniging
As part of his engagement, the deputy president also visited the Rand Water Zuikerbosch Plant in Vereeniging.
The water purification plant at Zuikerbosch Station 5A was built to ensure a sustainable water supply. It is also meant to meet the current and future water demands.
The water purification plant is part of the water utility’s capital expenditure projects. It seeks to bring more capacity to the water utility system to ensure water security.
“I am eager to collaborate closely with the Rand Water leadership to identify a preventative measure against the impending water scarcity crisis.
“It is widely recognised that water is essential for sustaining life. Ensures access to an adequate amount of water is a basic duty outlined in the Constitution. ‘Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water’,” said the deputy president.
Mashatile was supported by Police Minister Bheki Cele and Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo. Cooperative Governance Deputy Minister Parks Tau was also in attendance.
- SAnews.gov.za
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