/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

With the purpose of creating water resilience in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality (NMBMM), the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in cooperation with NMBMM hosted a workshop today, 23 August 2022 at Coega Vulindlela Conference Centre in Gqeberha Eastern Cape. 

At the heart of the Workshop was conceiving practical and sustainable solutions to water challenges in the Metro. The Workshop was attended by approximately 200 delegates from organisations such as: Water Research Institute (WRI) , World Bank, Cities Support Programme (CSP), South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), Amatola Water and government departments amongst others.

Addressing the delegates at the Workshop Minister Mchunu unambiguously stated that the workshop was meant to ensure that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have access to clean water regardless of whether the current drought persists or not. Minister Mchunu also emphasised the importance of mass participation of the public through rigorous awareness campaigns. 

“Let us make the public aware of what we are faced with, we cannot be water resilient if people are not aware of the severity of the challenges. Innovations is the name of the game; we have representatives from World Bank here and we need all the scientists to ensure water security”, Minister Mchunu stated. 

Councillor Eugene Johnson the Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality indicated that climate change is a stark reality, so building water resilience is paramount. She further stressed the need to come up with the most viable approach to resolve water challenges in the area. 

Minister Mchunu also echoed the sentiments of the Executive Mayor and reiterated the need to get to grips with what climate change means for the Metro and the need to be sensitive towards its impacts. The public needs to be educated and empowered about climate change, otherwise the war against drought would not be won. 

According to Minister Mchunu the Nooitgedacht Water Scheme Phase 3 which is supplying on average approximately 190 mega litres of water from Gariep Dam to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and surroundings has come in very handy and the Minister also hinted at the possibility of Phase 4.  

Minister Mchunu expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and private companies for their commendable work of drilling boreholes in the area recently, indicating that the exercise has assisted a great deal in as far as augmenting water supply in the area is concerned. The Minister also announced that the leaks fixing blitz initiative by NMBMM is bearing fruits.  

Furthermore, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu highlighted the significance of public–private partnership to make it a point that all residents of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, young and old, receive adequate water supply.

“We are looking at the process of desalination of sea water, this is a very expensive exercise, hence we require all the support that we can get. Let us breathe above the political mud and focus on the delivery of water”, Minister Mchunu said. 

Minister Mchunu added that “drought is a grave attack on us, and we need to defend ourselves aggressively through innovations”. 

Minister also called on all three spheres of government to come together and welcome pressure with pleasure. He expressed his confidence that water challenges in the city will be overcome.  

Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation