The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu will be returning to the Eastern Cape on 15-16 August 2023, to assess state of water supply and water projects meant to bring much needed relief in the drought-stricken Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and local municipalities under the Sarah Baartman District including Kouga and Makana.
This visit takes place just after Minister Mchunu led President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Tsomo Bulk Water Supply Project, to showcase progress made on the trans-boundary bulk water scheme that will serve the Chris Hani District and part of Amathole District Municipality, as part of the Presidential District Development Model Imbizo on Friday.
Minister Mchunu, accompanied by Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala will meet with the leadership of the Metro as well as the two local municipalities and the district to get an update on the progress made in the implementation of water projects that were earmarked to bring in balance to the allocation shortfall that the municipalities (which are water services authorities) are experiencing due to drought.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has allocated budget through its Water Services Infrastructure Grants (WSIG) to Kouga Local Municipality to implement a drought relief project to alleviate water challenges caused by the prevailing drought, while in Makana Local Municipality, a project to refurbish and upgrade the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works is underway, to optimise and enable the plant to meet current water demands in the area.
The delegation will start each of the two days by visiting the sites of the projects to witness the progress that has been made.
Members of the media are invited to the Media Doorstop as follows:
Tuesday: 15 August 2023
Site 1: Kouga Drought Intervention Project
Meeting Point: Kouga Local Municipality, Jeffrey’s Bay
Time: 08h30
Wednesday: 16 August 2023
Site 2: James Kleynhans Bulk Water Project
Meeting Point: James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works, Makhanda
Time: 08h30
For confirmations please contact:
Mr. Thandile Ngcume
Cell: 082 659 1422/043 604 541
E-mail: ngcumet@dws.gov.za
Mr. Lameki Jumba
Cell: 082 907 9713/043604 5154
E-mail: jumbal@dws.gov.za.
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
Kamogelo Mogotsi
Spokesperson for the Ministry
Cell: 076 523 0085
