Amid ongoing water shortages in South Africa, particularly in the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo recently attended a business dinner at the Mkhambathini Local Municipality in Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, to announce progress on the significant uMkhomazi Water Project.
This project will now proceed after overcoming previous financial constraints.
The dinner aimed to engage industry leaders regarding potential investments and expansions while exploring growth and development opportunities in Camperdown.
The uMkhomazi Water Project involves constructing a dam and an extensive network of pipelines, designed to increase water availability in the Mkhambathini Local Municipality by 55%, addressing the region's growing demand for water.
Mahlobo emphasised that with the right investments in water and sanitation infrastructure, the full potential of any region can be unlocked, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and improving quality of life. He stated that water and sanitation services are foundational to regional development, noting, “Mkhambathini Local Municipality is no exception.”
As of 2024, areas like Mkhambathini and much of KwaZulu-Natal have faced persistent water challenges due to ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, and rapid population growth.
Mahlobo underscored the importance of these services, explaining that they impact public health and directly influence industrial growth and economic sustainability.
“Reliable access to water is essential for attracting businesses and ensuring their efficient operation, which in turn drives job creation and economic activity, benefiting the entire community,” he added.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that rapid population growth and ageing infrastructure present significant challenges in meeting the increasing demand for treated water. “However, we face major challenges in ensuring that demand for treated water can be met, especially given the rapid population growth and ageing infrastructure in certain areas,” Mahlobo said.
He also highlighted several projects being initiated to address water challenges in the region, including the uMkhomazi Water Project, which had previously stalled due to financial issues.
“This ambitious project, which includes constructing a dam and extensive pipelines, is expected to increase the available water supply by 55%, allowing the region to meet its growing demand. While this project is crucial, it comes at a significant cost. We are pleased to report that the affordability challenges surrounding this project have been resolved through a blended finance solution approved by the National Treasury. This financing arrangement ensures that the project can move forward and is expected to be completed by 2030/32,” Mahlobo announced.
However, the Deputy Minister did not address the water issues currently affecting Gauteng, where residents have been protesting over ongoing shortages.
IOL