Addressing H2O issues in a water-stressed South Africa

With a history of having a great leader, South African politicians now carry a great pressure when it comes to leading the country to a well-nurtured nation. Having the largest and highly developed economy in whole Africa, South Africa still has its issues like any other developing countries. One of which is water shortage. With the country’s economic and political resources available, how can South Africa assure its almost 53 million people a clean water to drink?

According to South Africa’s Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, plans in securing the country’s water resources are already being implemented. The minister says their country still has water reserves denying some media reports that South Africa is running dry. Despite that, she advises people to do their part by conserving the very limited and essential resource their country has.

Molewa says that restricting the water use and distribution is still not an option but will be introduced in the future should the situation worsens – something that the ministry closely monitors.

South Africa, being a water-stressed country has a huge dilemma with regard to water wastage. Dripping faucets, leaking pipes and illegal water connections are major contributors to the problem. To that, the department is currently taking initiatives to repair water infrastructure issues.

Other than people being affected by the looming water shortage, the issue may also take its toll on the country’s economy. Though agriculture in South Africa is not a huge market compared to its neighboring African countries, the sector still provide formal employment to its people at around 10%. South Africa is also one of the world’s leading producers of products like cereals, castor oil seed and green maize. Taking that agricultural advantage away, the country’s economy will surely be scarred.

To address the issue, SA’s water and environment ministry prosecutes illegal water connectors, reaches out to areas where water is poorly distributed and at the same time, working to repair water infrastructure problems.

Molewa says they are pressed in assuring steady water supply on every municipalities by focusing on the functionality of their water delivery systems.

When it comes to illegal water connections, the government warns that prosecution awaits for the offenders and that penalties will be given.

On the infrastructures repair level, Molewa says a total of R1.2 billion will be spent on Pilanesberg scheme which assures local municipalities and mines 100 megalitres of water. With this, jobs are being created adding direct contribution to the country’s economy.

Being a water scarce country, municipalities, social and business sector are being urged by the Water and Environmental ministry to join together to implement a practical water conservation management. Constituents are also addressed not to go against the law and make their own move to alleviate the water deficiency issue by paying their bills.  

Every sectors of South Africa joining together to conceptualize an effective water conservation plan is a good way to assure the country a steady water supply for its social and economic nourishment. 

Humphrey Kariuki Ndgewa, CEO of Dalbit International, has been blogging regularly since last year. Drawing on his vast experience as an industrialist, Humphrey writes about balancing business-minded innovation and sustainable development.