4 Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) will be launched by Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation.
The CMAs will be launched to coincide with the Biennial Conference & Exhibition, organized by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA). The conference started this morning and will end on Friday, the 14th June 2024.
Themed “Turn the tide” Mchunu jokingly said that he is a 1/4 Minister, given the transition to a 7th administration, expected in South Africa, this week.
He said this is a timely and significant time to face water challenges head on through integrated planning and water governance, to support economic growth and new investment.
Keynote speaker, Professor Hamanth Kasan, President Elect of the International Water Association (IWA), and Advisor at Blue Rock, said 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water.
He said about 3,6 billion, do not have access to decent toilets. This implies at least 86 countries, might not meet Sustainable Development targets.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate the challenges of the African continent, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions, if water professionals do not plan for the future.
“With all the technology and data in this current age, basics are deteriorating. Our function is to plan for the future” said Kasan.
He said significant lessons learnt from the best, indicate the necessity of a political will to drive change. He said instruments such as governance, policy making and enforcement are important, so is planning to mitigate risks, and sharpening enablers such as strategic partnerships and technology.
Slide of countries with the best and worst access to clean water, presented by Professor Kasan at WISA 2024.
Picture: Earth Island Institute