B Sonjica on Budget Vote and NCOP Policy Review debate

24 May 2006

Cape Town, 24 May 2006: Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa P
Sonjica, delivered the Budget Vote 34, as well as the NCOP Policy Review Debate
on behalf of the Ministry and Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

In her Budget Speech, Minister Sonjica was guided primarily by the State of
the Nation Address of President Thabo Mbeki in February, which gave a very
clear mandate for the need to contribute to the building of the capacity of the
State.

Primary within this aspect is the formation and sustenance of partnerships
with different institutions of learning like the Tshwane University of
Technology, Universities of the Western Cape, Free State, Cape Town and
KwaZulu-Natal in ensuring the improvement of skills for the Department.

In pursuance of support from the Department towards the achievements of
AsgiSA and the realisation of a healthy skills drive, international relations
also play a key role and an example of this is the continued good working
relations with the People’s Republic of Cuba. This exercise will ensure that
the Department overcomes its skills shortage through import of expertise, as
well as the training of SA students in fields related to its work.

In addressing gender and disability issues, as well as restructuring and
reorganisation, the Department has established a Forestry Branch, as well as a
Gender and Disability Unit. Included in this move was the placement of five
women to management positions, a move which speaks to government’s drive with
regard to women’s emancipation and empowerment.

“One of the highlights of our achievements are the water summits we held in
all nine provinces in the last year. These summits culminated in a very
successful National Water Summit that was attended by about 560 people from all
corners of our country. These summits were an enormous success, and we owe that
to the overwhelming support we received from Premiers, MECs, Mayors,
Councillors and senior officials of these provinces. I wish to express my
heartfelt gratitude for this support,” said Minister Sonjica.

The Department continues its pursuance of the water and sanitation targets
as set by the State President as well as the Millennium Development Goals. To
meet these the Department is working closely with other sector members which
include Municipalities, other Government departments (both local and
provincial), water boards, as well as international governments and role
players.

“I wish to thank my Special Advisors for their contribution, advice and
support over the last year. My sincere gratitude and appreciation goes to my
Director General, Jabu Sindane for his leadership and commitment, and to all
the officials in the Department, for their hard work and dedication.

“Thank you also to the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Water
Affairs and Forestry, the National Council Of Provinces’ Select Committee on
Land and Environmental Affairs, as well the entire water and forestry sectors,
including municipalities and their association, the South African Local
Government Association (SALGA), the South African Association of Water Users
(SAAWU), the Trans Caledon Tunnel Agency (TCTA), Water Boards, the Water
Research Commission (WRC), and the National Advisory Councils for Water and
Forests and all other stakeholders and partners for their cooperation and
support during the past year,” concluded Minister Sonjica.

Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 885 8317

Issued by: Ministry of Water Affairs and Forestry
24 May 2006