Water Task Team concludes visit to Rand Water Plant in Zuikerbosch
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Water Task Team, has today, Wednesday, 08 May 2024, successfully concluded a visit to Rand Water Zuikerbosch Plant in Vereeniging, Gauteng Province.
The Water Task Team was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address water challenges in various areas in the country.
Rand Water is the largest bulk water utility in Africa and is one of the largest in the world, providing bulk potable water to more than 11 million people in Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West – an area that stretches over 18 000 km2.
“In our efforts to avert a water crisis in Gauteng province and other municipalities around the nation, it is imperative that we have strategic engagements and collaboration with the Rand Water leadership in order to urgently find solutions to this pressing issue," said the Deputy President.
During the engagement, the Deputy President received an update on Rand Water’s efforts aimed at ensuring the efficient provision of water to residents of the Gauteng Province. With a global reputation for providing high quality water, its customer base includes metropolitan municipalities, local municipalities, mines and large industries in Gauteng and surrounding areas.
The Deputy President commended efforts by Rand Water to ensure that millions of people have access to water on a constant basis, as this has a significant impact on the well-being of the society as it relates to socio-economic factors such as health, food security and general welfare.
As part of the visit, the Deputy President undertook a guided tour of the water purification plant at Zuikerbosch Station 5A, built to ensure sustainable water supply, and meet the current and future water demands. The water purification plant is part of the Rand Water’s capital expenditure projects and seeks to bring more capacity to the water utility system to ensure water security.
“I am eager to collaborate closely with the Rand Water leadership to identify a preventative measure against the impending water scarcity crisis. It is widely recognised that water is essential for sustaining life, and ensuring access to an adequate amount of water is a basic duty outlined in the Constitution, which states that "Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water," said the Deputy President.
The Deputy President was supported by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele; Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr David Mahlobo; Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance, Mr Parks Tau as well and as well as senior government officials.
Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840
