Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has acknowledged international communities for supporting South Africa’s water and sanitation sector since the dawn of democracy 30 years ago.
Mahlobo was speaking at a session with Ambassadors accredited to South African Missions in Centurion on Friday.
The meeting was hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation under the theme: “Celebrating 30 years of sustainable partnership, strengthening partnerships with international partners and forging a shared future”.
The meeting aimed to brief the Ambassadors on the state of South Africa’s water sector and water reforms, and to fortify international collaboration and capacity-building endeavours in the water sector.
Countries represented at the meeting included China, Japan, Cuba, Egypt, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Senegal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Denmark and Finland.
Mahlobo acknowledged the international community’s support, which helped South Africa to achieve the democracy it enjoys today.
He commended the international community for their contribution to the country’s water and sanitation sector, which has guaranteed a sustainable and equitable water supply to all South Africans.
He said all the countries played a big part in various degrees to assist South Africa in its struggle for democracy.
“Your unwavering support did not go unnoticed, and your partnership continued to ensure that South Africa provided equitable and sustainable water supply, and dignified sanitation to all its citizens. We therefore would like to thank you for the notable contributions you have made,” Mahlobo said.
He encouraged partnerships between South Africa and the countries to continue to grow to ensure water security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the rest of the continent.
“When you engage with us here as the Department of Water and Sanitation, we should strive to maintain our partnership and forge ahead for the next 30 years, also taking into account the advances we have made.
“As our partners, do not be polite with us, but engage with us if there are matters of policy that make it difficult for your participation. You need to raise matters that you don’t understand because we are an open-minded water sector,” the Deputy Minister said.
The Ambassadors assured South Africa of their continued partnership in the water sector.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in South Africa and the Eritrean Ambassador to South Africa, Salih Omar Abdu, said the partnerships have guaranteed water security and have ensured access to clean water by most of the countries in the continent.
“As we deliberate on the partnership with South Africa, it is important to adapt to a new perspective on the role that water plays in our regional and international agendas. Water is not only a resource to be consumed, but it is also a catalyst in economic growth, social equality and environmental sustainability in the region,” Abdu said. – SAnews.gov.za
