27 February 2006
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica (MP) and the
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr Louis Michel,
today met to review the progress made under the European Programme for
Reconstruction and Development (EPRD) support to the South African Water
Services Sector.
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) is intending to apply for a
further outright grant of approximately one billion rand (â¬125m) in support of
implementing Masibambane III covering the period 2007/08 to 2012/13. The
meeting provided the opportunity to discuss possible future co-operation in
this sector for this period. The meeting, held in Winterveldt (North West
Province) was followed by a site visit to the Winterveldt Presidential Lead
Project.
The European Commission has worked closely with the DWAF in pursuit of the
provision of potable water and sanitation to millions of South Africans since
1994. To date the EPRD has provided R1.6 billion through outright grants to
policy, infrastructure and capacity development in this sector alone.
Since 1994 one of the main priorities is the provision of basic services and
the related infrastructures, to the majority of South Africans. Great strides
have been made and South Africa, with the assistance of the European
Commission, has met the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for halving the
water backlog 14 years ahead of target. Aside from the obvious benefits of
receiving clean, safe water and sanitation, such service delivery also aims to
improve the quality of life and contribute to poverty alleviation of
beneficiary communities. As South Africaâs biggest development partner, the EU
has recognised both the need as well as the governmentâs priority focus in this
area.
Minister Sonjica thanked Commissioner Michel for the EUs continued support
to service delivery and poverty alleviation in South Africa. âEU involvement in
the Water Sector dates back to 1994 when it supported initiatives in the
sector, which included support to non-governmental organisation (NGO) and
government programmes in the provinces of Limpopo, Eastern Cape and
KwaZulu-Natal, now extended nationally with the Masibambane II programme.
Masibambane is the flagship programme of the department and the Water Sector
and is concerned with infrastructure provision, capacity building in local
government, health and hygiene and HIV/AIDS, environmental management and
monitoring and evaluation,â said the Minister.
Enquires:
Kalinga Pelpola
Cell: 082 906 6696
Frank Oberholzer
European Commission
Cell: 082 786 6223
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and European Commission
Delegation to South Africa
27 February 2006
