By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night elevated South Africa’s deepening water crisis to the top of the national agenda, announcing the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee that he will personally chair and vowing to hold failing municipalities and managers criminally accountable.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said water had become one of the most urgent issues facing communities across the country.
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“In addition to crime, water is now the single most important issue for many people in South Africa, from large cities like Johannesburg to smaller towns like Knysna and rural areas like Giyani,” he said.
His remarks come amid widespread outages and protests, particularly in Gauteng, where residents have taken to the streets over prolonged disruptions.
The City of Johannesburg is
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