Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. David Mahlobo, recently spoke at a community engagement event held at Albert Falls Hall in Pietermaritzburg. The event focused on addressing water and sanitation issues as well as other socio-economic challenges faced by the local community. During the event, Mahlobo encouraged the Thokozani community to pursue water sports such as canoeing as a means of promoting economic growth and job creation.
Training Women Cooperatives
Mahlobo announced plans to train local women cooperatives in environmental, water resource management, and tourism sectors, enabling them to participate in economic opportunities within the water industry. He demonstrated the government’s commitment to local economic participation by handing over a canoe trailer to the Thulani Mbanjwa Academy, which operates in the Nagle Dam area.
Collaborative Effort
The canoe trailer handover was a collaborative effort between Deputy Minister Mahlobo and Msinsi Holdings, a subsidiary of Umngeni-uThukela Water. Msinsi Holdings is responsible for pollution control and biodiversity management at more than ten dams throughout the KwaZulu-Natal province. The canoe trailer followed an earlier donation of 10 canoes and 10 paddles by Msinsi Holdings.
Importance of Water Safety
Mahlobo emphasized the importance of the Thulani Mbanjwa Academy’s work in promoting water safety among locals and expressed the desire for the academy to extend its services to tourists. He believes that this would boost the local economy and create jobs.
Water Security and Sustainable Development
Mahlobo also highlighted the Department of Water and Sanitation’s ongoing work to ensure water security in the province. He reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6), which aims to provide access to water and sanitation for all. The Deputy Minister believes that realizing SDG6 by 2030 and beyond requires a collective effort, with local communities actively participating in water and sanitation management.
Women Empowerment
The Deputy Minister emphasized the significance of women empowerment in the water sector. He believes that integrating women and girls into water resource management would contribute to the overall development of rural areas. The canoe trailer handover took place alongside a women in water resource management ceremony led by Msinsi Holding. During the ceremony, tribute was paid to women spearheading biodiversity and water pollution prevention programs in the uMshwathi Local Municipality.
Overall, this initiative demonstrates the South African government’s dedication to addressing water-related issues and empowering local communities through sports, education, and job creation. Encouraging water sports participation and supporting organizations like Thulani Mbanjwa Academy will not only help improve water safety awareness but also contribute to the overall development and economic growth of the region.
