A Sector in Dire Need of Experienced Leadership
The appointment of Pemmy Majodina as the new Minister of Water and Sanitation marks a pivotal moment for South Africa’s water and sanitation services. However, the scale of the problems facing this vital sector does not make the prospect of improved delivery under her leadership a certainty.
The magnitude of the country’s water-related challenges requires someone with deep expertise and a thorough understanding of the issues, rather than someone relying on advisors and a director-general for information. While the decision to appoint a woman to head the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is a positive step towards women’s empowerment, it remains to be seen whether Majodina’s strong political credentials will translate into effective management of the pressing water and sanitation crises.
Majodina’s deputy ministers, David Mahlobo and Isaac Sello Seitlholo, bring a mix of backgrounds – Mahlobo with a chemistry degree and previous experience as Minister of Energy, and Seitlholo with a public management background. This combination might appear promising, but the true test will be in their ability to set aside political differences and work cohesively to address the urgency of the problems in the sector.
Water Scarcity and Pollution Across the Country
As the new ministry takes the helm, it faces a daunting array of water-related challenges across different regions of South Africa. In the Vhembe district, for example, people continue to lack access to clean water despite the construction of the Nandoni dam. Promises of water delivery have been made, and more tenders have been procured, but the community’s needs remain unmet.
According to Innocent and Mashile Phalane, water justice activists from the area, the Vhembe District Municipality’s efforts to address water challenges are virtually unquantifiable. A dysfunctional well-water supply system has left two villages without water for years, despite the municipality claiming the repairs were ‘95% complete’ in their 2021 integrated development plan. The situation is further exacerbated by the presence of “water mafias” who have tapped into the main pipeline to sell water at exorbitant prices to the residents.
The water challenges extend beyond Vhembe, with the Gauteng province also facing severe pollution and overexploitation of its water resources. More than 90% of the rivers in Gauteng are polluted, and the province’s Gauteng Protected Area Extension Strategy warns that natural habitat may be entirely lost by 2050 due to mining-related impacts, including over-extraction, pollution, and sinkholes that can destroy aquifers and wetlands.
The DWS has yet to produce a detailed report on all the aquifers in Gauteng, while the majority of the province’s wastewater treatment works remain dysfunctional. The ministry has spent more than R5 billion over the past decade on rehabilitating the Vaal River, but the results have been minimal, according to Mdu Shabalala of the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA).
Inequitable Water Access and Community Struggles
The water and sanitation crisis also manifests in unequal access and unjust distribution, as exemplified by the situation in Goedverwacht, where the Moravian Church, as the landowner, controls the water supply and charges residents for access. Despite the local councilor’s efforts and intervention from the Western Cape Water Caucus, the church leadership remains unwilling to facilitate a clean water supply for the community.
In Makhanda, the aging infrastructure and a dysfunctional municipality have led to a persistent water crisis. The community, through its civic movement, took the municipality to court, and a R400 million investment was made to upgrade the infrastructure. However, the project remains behind schedule, and the blame game between the municipality and the DWS continues.
Further north, in the Amathole District Municipality, residents are forced to share water with animals, risking their health, as they lack access to clean drinking water and must travel long distances to fetch potable water. This burden disproportionately falls on women and girls, who are traditionally expected to be responsible for water collection.
Urgency for Comprehensive Action
The magnitude, urgency, and seriousness of these water and sanitation challenges require decisive action from the new ministry. The appointment of two deputy ministers could indicate an understanding from the president of the scale of the task ahead. However, it remains to be seen whether this reflects a genuine commitment to addressing the crisis or merely a strategic move to maintain the semblance of governmental unity.
Civil society will need to be proactive in voicing its concerns, from the local level in municipalities to national-scale advocacy efforts. It is crucial that the new ministry’s rhetoric around addressing water issues does not simply become an electioneering ploy, but is followed by tangible and sustained action.
The Joint Action for Water blog stands ready to amplify the voices of communities, experts, and activists working to find solutions to the country’s water and sanitation challenges. By sharing practical advice, advocating for policy changes, and highlighting successful community-driven initiatives, we aim to empower citizens and hold the new ministry accountable.
Visit https://jointactionforwater.org/ to explore more resources and join the movement for equitable and sustainable water and sanitation services across South Africa.
Tackling the Root Causes of the Water Crisis
One of the fundamental issues that the new ministry must confront is the intensive water consumption of industry, particularly in water-stressed regions. The ministry’s willingness to review and regulate industrial water use will be a crucial test of its commitment to addressing the water crisis holistically.
Additionally, the ministry must prioritize the rehabilitation and upgrading of aging water infrastructure, which has contributed to widespread service delivery failures. Targeted investments, coupled with robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, will be essential to ensuring the functionality and reliability of water and sanitation systems.
Strengthening intergovernmental cooperation and enhancing coordination between national, provincial, and local authorities will also be crucial. Fragmented responsibilities and a lack of accountability have often hampered effective water and sanitation management. The new ministry must work to bridge these gaps and foster a more integrated and collaborative approach.
Furthermore, the ministry should consider incorporating community-driven solutions and traditional water management practices into its strategies. Empowering local stakeholders and leveraging their knowledge and experiences can lead to more context-appropriate and sustainable interventions.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Water Security
The appointment of Pemmy Majodina as the new Minister of Water and Sanitation presents a pivotal moment for addressing South Africa’s water and sanitation crises. However, the scale of the challenges facing the sector demands experienced leadership, a clear understanding of the issues, and a willingness to take bold and decisive actions.
The new ministry must confront the deeply rooted problems of water scarcity, pollution, inequitable access, and crumbling infrastructure with a comprehensive and collaborative approach. By engaging with civil society, regulating industry, investing in infrastructure, and promoting community-driven solutions, the ministry can work towards ensuring that all South Africans have access to clean, reliable, and affordable water and sanitation services.
The Joint Action for Water blog will continue to closely monitor the ministry’s progress and amplify the voices of those working tirelessly to safeguard this precious resource. Together, we can build a future where water security is a reality for all, and the fundamental human right to water is realized across the country.
