New Government Agencies To Oversee Water Supply, Accelerate Land Reforms

THEBE MABANGA|

GOVERNMENT is to set up two new agencies to oversee the critical areas of water supply infrastructure and land reform.  

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the formation of the two new entities as well as plans to work with the private sector to assist municipalities with the improvement in water provision.

The Water Resources Infrastructure Agency will presumably have oversight over bulk water infrastructure.

At the same time, the President announced that “progress is being made on several major water infrastructure projects. These include Phase 2A of the Mokolo and Crocodile River project, and the uMkhomazi Water Project.”

South Africa’s water supply is overseen by nine water boards who supply water through municipalities and roughly operate along provincial boundaries. For example, Gauteng is supplied by one of the country’s oldest water board, Rand Water, which also parts of Mpumalanga and North West.