To South Africa’s water supply security, the country needs more than R120 billion ($8 billion) for the next ten years. According to Lindiwe Sisulu, water and sanitation minister, the money is typically needed for the completion of major water infrastructure.

This announcement comes four months after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the establishment of a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency will be acaccelerated. To continue monitoring the demand and availability of water to meet future demand, the country’s Department of Water and Sanitation will work alongside the Agency to identify the best options to meet these needs by 2030.

“Inadequacy of water resources will have a significant effect on the revival of the economy as well as inhibiting social transformation which perpetuates entrapment in poverty. Key economic development sectors like mining, manufacturing, tourism, farming, human settlements, and other industries are more likely to commit capital investments to areas where water, energy, and transport are secure,” said Sisulu.

According to a statement from the South Africa water and sanitation ministry, the country faces increasing water supply challenges that are constantly caused by insufficient water infrastructure maintenance and investment, recurrent droughts driven by climatic variation, inequities in access to water and sanitation, and insufficient skilled professionals and competent administrators. The situation is worsening with the pandemic, posing a significant water security risk which is a disruption for economic growth and development of the country.

Solange Che