Innovation (CPSI) award
3 November 2006
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) was last night awarded
the Public Sector Innovation for the Masibambane Sector Support Programme in
the category of Innovative Service Delivery Institutions at the Centre for
Public Service Innovation's awards Annual Public Sector Innovation Awards, held
at the South African Reserve Bank in Pretoria.
Masibambane, meaning 'Let's Work Together' in isiZulu, is in Phase II
(period 2004/07) of implementation at an estimated cost of R22 billion with
support provided by the European Commission (EC), Irish Aid, Swiss Agency for
Development and Co-operation, the Flemish Government and member states. The
initial programme, Phase I (period 2001/04) was successfully completed at a
cost of R3 billion, providing water to 3 183 214 people and sanitation to 230
930 households.
Masibambane has established collaborative structures between national,
provincial, local governments, civil society, private sector and other
stakeholders including donor agencies to provide accelerated water and
sanitation services on a sustainable basis to meet the 2008 and 2010 targets
respectively.
The programme's initial focus was in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and
Northern provinces but it has since been given a national profile.
Additionally, Masibambane is working with the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) and New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to take
responsibility for supporting the development of the water sector in
Africa.
Masibambane has adopted a sector wide approach, which is implemented using
South African Government systems and processes and using national and
international best practice to bring efficiency and effectiveness to
government's delivery programme. In line with the Paris Declaration 2005, donor
requirements are harmonised with government requirements thus minimising
transaction costs.
Chosen for its truly innovative, sustainable and replicable qualities, the
Masibambane project is the largest water sector-wide programme, funded by the
Eastern Cape, anywhere in the world. Commenting on the achievements of the
Masibambane programme, DWAF's Director-General, Mr Jabulani Sindane, said the
award showed that DWAF was 'hard at work to help the government alleviate the
plight of the poor.' He hailed the work of Masibambane's programme leaders,
Kalinga Pelpola, DWAF's Director: Water Services Support; Thoko Sigwaza,
Director: Sector Collaboration; and Dr Charles Reeve, Attache to the European
Commission. Ambassador Briet of the European Commission congratulated all
partners who have collaborated well in achieving the Masibambane mission of
creating a better life for all South Africans.
Mr Pelpola emphasised the teamwork that brought the programme its success,
culminating in the Award, saying, "This Award was achieved through the support
and courage of many people provincial, local and national government, as well
as civil society, the private sector and donor agencies." He went on to thank
all stakeholders for the valuable contributions to Masibambane.
The planning for the Phase III of the Masibambane Programme (period 2007/12)
is at an advance stage and the major challenge will be to bridge the divide
between water services and water resources and to extend the programme's
concept to reflect the entire water sector. The emphasis in the water sector is
shifting from providing a basic level of service to the use of Water for Growth
and Development. There are further challenges to meet the water and sanitation
targets and to support the implementation of the development agenda in Africa.
It is a challenge that everyone involved with Masibambane has demonstrated that
they are more than capable of meeting.
For more information contact:
Kalinga Pelpola
Tel: (012) 336 8797
Fax: (012) 326 3384
E-mail: pelpolak@dwaf.gov.za
Dr Charles Reeve
Tel: (012) 452 5248
Fax: (012) 460 9923
E-mail: Charles.reeve@ec.europa.eu
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
3 November 2006
