The Department of Water and Sanitation, led by the Honourable Minister Pemmy Majodina, convened the 2025 Water and Sanitation Indaba at the Gallagher Convention Centre, bringing together government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society to address South Africa's pressing water challenges. This year’s Indaba coincides with Water Month and Human Rights Month, emphasizing that access to water is a fundamental human right.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that water is a priority issue for his administration. He underscored the need for sustainable water management to support economic growth, public health, and climate resilience. The current water crisis in South Africa is alarming; the country loses an astounding 47% of its water supply, significantly exceeding the global average loss of 30%. This wastage is attributed to a combination of aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, and the impacts of climate change.
As one of the top 30 driest countries in the world, South Africa faces unique challenges. The reliance on surface water is increasingly threatened by climate change, which has resulted in low rainfall seasons. These conditions are compounded by issues of criminality and corruption, including vandalism of water infrastructure and illegal connections, which exacerbate shortages.
In response to these challenges, the government is accelerating key water projects. Notable initiatives include the uMkomazi, uMzimvubu, and Lesotho Highlands Phase 2 projects, which aim to enhance water security across the nation. Moreover, public-private partnerships, such as the Olifants Management Model Programme, are being leveraged to ensure efficient water supply for municipalities.
The Indaba serves as a critical platform for cross-sector collaboration, with the government urging municipalities, businesses, and communities to commit to improving water governance and financial management, reducing non-revenue water, enhancing infrastructure maintenance, and strengthening anti-corruption efforts. The Minister highlighted that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All) by 2030 is at risk without urgent action across all sectors.
During her address, Minister Majodina noted, "In the academic and global dialogue on water security, it has been scientifically proven that water is a limited resource. With the perpetual climate change, the global community is facing a great challenge concerning water provision, especially in developing countries like South Africa." She emphasized that nearly 50% of the world’s population lives under highly water-stressed conditions for at least one month each year.
Majodina pointed out that South Africa's water consumption averages 218 liters per capita per day, compared to the global average of 173 liters. The country’s non-revenue water stands at 47%, significantly higher than the world average of 30%. This situation highlights the urgent need for improved water management and infrastructure investment.
Furthermore, municipalities owe Water Boards approximately R24 billion, a significant financial burden that threatens the sustainability of water supply. The government is actively working with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to track and combat fraud and corruption in the water sector, having recovered R459 million to date.
As part of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2025–2029, water has been declared the seventh administration’s top priority. The President's commitment to addressing water issues is reflected in the ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing water security.
In addition to addressing immediate concerns, the Indaba also focuses on long-term strategies for sustainable water management. The Minister called for a national commitment to improve water governance and financial management, reduce non-revenue water, enhance infrastructure maintenance, and strengthen anti-corruption efforts.
As the Indaba concluded, Minister Majodina reiterated the importance of collective responsibility in securing South Africa's water future. She stated, "Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030 is at risk. Urgent action is required across all sectors to ensure water security for future generations." This rallying call serves as a reminder of the critical role that water plays in the socio-economic development of the nation.
The challenges facing South Africa's water sector are significant, but the Indaba has laid the groundwork for collaborative efforts to address these issues. With a renewed focus on sustainable practices and infrastructure investment, there is hope for a more secure water future in South Africa.
