Deputy Minister Judith Tshabalala joined a high-level ministerial panel discussion at the Stockholm World Water Week to address water and sanitation challenges faced by the African continent. The “Africa Focus Day” served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, bringing together water leaders, policymakers, experts, innovators, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders across Africa and beyond.
South Africa’s Approach to Managing Water Resources
During the session, Deputy Minister Tshabalala emphasized the Department of Water and Sanitation’s balanced approach to managing water resources and supporting economic growth in South Africa. She acknowledged that water resources play a crucial role in determining South Africa’s experience of and response to climate change. This challenge has led to the adoption of innovative approaches to water services, such as considering water infrastructure and sources from a multiple water-use perspective.
Innovation in Response to Climate Change
Recent water shortages attributed to climate change have spurred innovation in South Africa through partnerships and the use of technology to optimize the use of available water resources and access to new water sources. Deputy Minister Tshabalala stressed that South Africa is working to expedite the realization of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) concerning sanitation and hygiene by 2030, paying special attention to the needs of women, girls, and those in vulnerable situations.
Commitment to Water and Sanitation
South Africa’s commitment to water and sanitation is enshrined in its constitution, as evidenced by the development of the National Sanitation Policy, which endorses national sanitation targets in line with the National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Future Plans
The upcoming 2023 annual gathering of the World Water Week coincides with the peak of Africa’s rollout of the Africa Investments Programme (AIP), led by the International High Panel on Water Investment, which comprises sitting heads of state, UN entities, and African Union entities. The discussions during Africa Focus Day will aim to foster alliances that go beyond borders and map a trajectory toward a future where sanitation and hygiene are universally attainable, regardless of socioeconomic standing or geographical location.
Endorsement and Adoption of Resolutions
The resolutions reached during the conference will be endorsed and adopted by the African Union and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), a ministerial council that engages on all initiatives to move Africa’s water sector forward. This reaffirms the Departmental mantra that states, “Sanitation is Dignity.”
Importance of Collaboration
The Africa Focus Session exemplifies the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing the pressing issue of water and sanitation on the African continent. It also serves as a reminder that the integration of innovative technology and a focus on the needs of vulnerable populations can lead to significant strides toward achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation for all.
