ends
5 May 2006
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, today
acknowledged the efforts and input of all delegates who attended this first
National Water Summit held over two days, 4 and 5 May 2006, at Gallagher
Estates, Midrand.
The summit, which was a platform to bring together all ideas derived from
the provincial summits held through 2005/06, was well attended and proved a
success with all who attended being of one mind, i.e. to find solutions to the
challenges of water availability and delivery.
âWater is a catalyst for growth and development and is therefore central to
all aspects of our lives. It is therefore critical to understand the role of
water with regards to its impact on our social and economic situations but also
to understand that the non-delivery of water to the poorest of the poor
undermines the possible enjoyment of the freedom and democracy that we enjoy as
a country by those not receiving such a service,â Minister Sonjica said.
Discussions at the summit also looked into understanding and appreciating
the ideals and challenges encountered at provincial level with regards water
servicesâ delivery at a local level.
The purpose of the summit also included looking into how the deadlines and
targets set by President Thabo Mbeki during his State of the Nation address,
emphasised during the Freedom Day commemorations as well as during the Workers
Day celebrations were to be achieved. The deadlines are not moving and the
Department is confident of reaching them.
The summit delegates had a chance to deliberate issues much deeper during
the time of thematic break aways. These break aways each engaged on a
particular topic and came out with recommendations which will then be used to
bring out a programme/plan of action with specific deadlines, which will ensure
the delivery of the targets as set out by the President.
In her closing remarks, Minister Sonjica emphasised the key national
priorities, which were outcomes of this first National Water Summit, and these
were:
* Speeding up water and sanitation delivery in order to meet the
targets,
* The need for an urgent strategy to deal with operation and maintenance of
municipal infrastructure,
* The Department of Water Affairs and Forestryâs contribution to the objectives
of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA),
* The Department to find more meaningful ways of how water can support economic
growth and development in the country.
âLastly we must ensure that all these recommendations and suggestions are
taken on board into our policies and strategies for implementation. What is
more important is that we will be doing things differently,â said Minister
Sonjica in closing.
Enquiries: Sputnik Ratau
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 885 8317
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
5 May 2006
