Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo, has known as for decisive and intensified funding within the water sector to safe Southern Africa’s future within the face of local weather change and rising water calls for.
Addressing the Orange-Senqu River Fee (ORASECOM) Local weather Resilient Funding Convention in Maseru, Lesotho, on Thursday, Seitlholo underscored the pressing want for resilient water infrastructure and strengthened cross-border cooperation, describing them as crucial to the area’s financial growth, environmental sustainability, and long-term water safety.
“Water is the muse upon which our economies, communities, and ecosystems relaxation. In Southern Africa, it additionally binds us collectively throughout borders. Our shared future calls for that we make investments boldly and correctly in securing this most valuable useful resource,” Seitlholo mentioned.
Reaffirming South Africa’s position as a founding and dedicated member of ORASECOM, Seitlholo famous that the nation continues to champion regional cooperation for the sustainable and equitable administration of shared water assets. These embody internet hosting duties and contributions to basin-wide analysis and planning.
The Deputy Minister additionally famous that South Africa is actively enterprise main reforms to create an enabling atmosphere for water funding.
These embody legislative amendments to strengthen water governance, scale back inefficiencies, and entice private-sector involvement, by means of improved regulatory certainty and streamlined venture processes.
He pointed to a number of alternatives for traders, starting from bulk infrastructure and wastewater remedy to revolutionary applied sciences in reuse and sensible metering.
The Deputy Minister additional emphasised the position of public-private partnerships, noting ongoing efforts by means of the Water Partnership Workplace in collaboration with the Improvement Financial institution of Southern Africa (DBSA, to speed up funding.
“Investing in water is not only a necessity; it’s a generational crucial. Our coverage reforms, (together with) institutional innovation, and partnerships, display that we’re able to work with all stakeholders to make water funding successful story,” Seitlholo mentioned.
Seitlholo outlined three strategic pillars of South Africa’s water technique, which embody sustainability, technological development, and local weather adaptation.
He highlighted the necessity for strong danger administration to deal with droughts, floods, and air pollution, supported by authorities funding mechanisms, such because the Water Providers Infrastructure Grant and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, made obtainable by the Division of Water and Sanitation.
He careworn that communities have to be on the coronary heart of water options.
Inserting communities on the centre of water governance, Seitlholo emphasised inclusive growth, significantly by means of boards supporting youth, ladies, and civil society engagement.
He added that collaborations with NGOs, together with analysis establishments, and the personal sector, proceed to drive innovation and guarantee evidence-based planning.
In closing, Seitlholo reaffirmed South Africa’s unwavering dedication to regional management and international engagement within the water sector.
Highlight on water financing
In the meantime, Seitlholo introduced that South Africa will host the Africa Water Funding Summit in August, an initiative geared toward unlocking large-scale funding and fostering multi-sector partnerships for water infrastructure growth throughout the continent.
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As South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency, the Deputy Minister confirmed that water financing can be promoted as a key agenda merchandise, positioning water as not merely a growth concern, however a central pillar of financial resilience, local weather adaptation, and sustainable progress.
“South Africa stands prepared to steer by instance, mobilising political will, catalysing funding, and fostering cross-border cooperation to construct a water-secure future for Africa and past.
“Allow us to seize this second to mobilise the partnerships, political will, and financing wanted to make sure a climate-resilient and water-secure future for our area. What we determine immediately should form a legacy of inclusive progress and sustainable prosperity for generations to return,” Seitlholo mentioned.
