During the 2015 State of the Nation Address, President Jacob Zuma announced that the government through the Department of Water and Sanitation will train 15 000 artisans, water agents and plumbers to fix leaking taps and pipes in their respective communities as part of promoting water conservation. The President was responding to a report that government loses about 36% of water which amounts to R7 billion annually.
Minister Nomvula Mokonyane appointed Rand Water to implement the War on Leaks project. It is expected to run over a five-year period whereby 15 000 unemployed youth will be trained within three disciplines, namely water agents, artisans and plumbers. This to ensure that South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Sector will be equipped with a competent arsenal of skills and capacity to minimise water losses in the country.
The training will be done in phases:
- Phase 1 – 3000 learners will be trained during 2015/2016
- Phase 2 – 5000 learners will be trained during 2016/2017
- Phase 3 – 7000 learners will be trained during 2017/2018
Details of the War on Leaks Project launch are as follows:
Date: Friday, 28 August 2015
Time: 9h00 till late
Venue: Dan Qeqe Stadium, Zwide in Port Elizabeth
NB: All media wishing to cover the event are requested to complete the attached accreditation template (fill in all columns) and forward it by 15h00 on Monday 24 August 2015 to the following people:
Zenzile Mandilakhe: EC Department of Water and Sanitation at 082 883 5293, 043 604 5528 or zenzilem@dws.gov.za.
Vuyokazi Dube: GCIS at 073 291 4038 or at vuyokazid@gcis.gov.za
Collection of accreditation for journalists who have done RSVP will be as follows:
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2015
Time: 8h00 – 16h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Kwantu Towers-next to City Hall), 6th Floor or alternatively.
Date: Friday, 28 August 2015
Time: 9h00 – 12h00
Venue: Dan Qeqe Stadium, Media Tent
Enquiries:
Ratau Sputnik
Spokesperson for the Department Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942
Email: rataus@dws.gov.za
