The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe says water is critical to sustainable socio-economic development and eradication of poverty. Thabethe was speaking at the Zimbabwe Water Resources and Infrastructure Investment Summit which took place in Bulawayo yesterday. The summit was part of the 54th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair where 47 South African companies are participating.
“South Africa has limited water resources and is regarded as the 30th most water scarce country in the world. Water plays a critical function in our economy in South Africa where it contributes 60% towards agriculture and irrigation,” said Thabethe.
“We recognise the fact that water is critical to sustainable socio-economic development and growth. We also believe and agree that water should be at the core of the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. We are all committed to seeing a better continent without a lot of emissions,” said Thabethe.
Thabethe added that the South African constitution stated that everyone has a right to have access to sufficient water and that the country had thus far done a lot in harnessing water resources in support of its socio-economic development efforts.
“The Census 2011 established that 91% of the population have access to improved water sources, and 79% have access to improved sanitation. The improvement is the result of the country’s fifteen water provision authorities including local and district local municipalities, driven by the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, improved framework for government and financing,” added Thabethe.
She reminded delegates that the United Nations declared 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation.
“The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services,” she said.
“The Year is also intended to highlight the history of successful water cooperation initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education, water diplomacy, transboundary water management, financing cooperation and the linkages with the Millennium Development Goals,” said Thabethe.
She stated that South Africa was committed to strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries in developing water resources that are sustainable such as the Katse Dam in Lesotho.
Thabethe identified human capital, governance and leadership development as some of the challenges in ensuring effective and efficient water resource management.
“It is therefore important to look across the entire water sector including government, the private sector and civil society for a range of skills while building capacity manage water resources effectively and efficiently,” she emphasised.
Thabethe will officially open the South African pavilion at the Zimbabwean International Trade Fair which runs until Saturday.
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