L Hendricks leads delegation to World Water Week

21 August 2006

The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks, who is
leading a South African delegation to the World Water Week currently being held
in Stockholm, Sweden, made a presentation at the conference on the benefits of
sharing the water resources in southern Africa, an approach that has been
pursued in southern Africa since the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Protocol on Shared Watercourses was first signed in 1995.

In her presentation, the Minister explained the situation where South Africa
is co-operating extensively with its neighbouring countries in four water
basins, namely the Orange River, the Limpopo River, the Inkomati River, and the
Maputo River. Minister Hendricks outlined some of the benefits of sharing
watercourses including:
* the clear social and health benefits of having water for use in the
household, agriculture, and for economic activity
* the positive economic spin-offs from investment in water infrastructure; as
there is a clear link between water and economic growth for developing
economies in Africa
* the promotion of regional co-operation and co-operation across the
continent
* the benefits to local communities who must benefit from water projects such
as the construction of dams and other infrastructure
* the sharing of knowledge on issues affecting the water sector across
countries in the continent.

Commenting on the presentation by the Minister one of the members of the
panel announced to the audience that “Southern Africa is a role model for other
regions in how it has been able to achieve co-operation in the sharing of its
water resources,” with another panellist adding that “the approach by Southern
Africa of looking at co-operation in the use of its water resources, rather
than conflict is the best way of doing things, and sets an example for other
regions.”

The comments of the panellists were supported by the Minister of Water from
Botswana who shared his country’s support for what has been achieved in the
region over the past 12 years.

After the presentation Minister Hendricks said, “It is to the credit of our
region that Southern Africa’s plans for sharing of water resources have been
very well received by this important international conference.”

Amongst the South African delegation to Stockholm are three high school
children from Mehlokazulu Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg who are winners
of the South African Youth Water Prize. They are in Stockholm competing against
twenty seven other nations for the International Youth Water Prize. The winners
will be announced in the evening of 22 August 2006. Only three African
countries (South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon) are participating in the
competition.

Enquiries:
Thandi Mapukata
Chief Director: Communications
Tel: (012) 336 8264
Cell: 082 885 3324

Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
21 August 2006