Source: Government of South Africa
30 Years of Democracy Booklet
Please click here to access the 30 Years of Democracy booklet: https://www.sanews.gov.za/sites/default/files/2012/multimedia/30-years-of-development-sanews.pdf.
It’s a collection of highlights that showcase the achievements and special moments in democratic South Africa.
Matona
Source: Government of South Africa
Business leaders push for partnerships to tackle water investment gap
The business sector has emphasised the need for stronger partnerships with government and heightened investment in water infrastructure, especially at the local government level, which is perceived as the engine of service delivery.
Speaking at a plenary session focused on closing the investment gap at the local government level during the African Union–Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) summit on Thursday, Kobie Brand, the Deputy Secretary-General and Regional Director for Africa at ICLEI said Africa must embrace the principle of multisectoral governance in tackling water challenges.
“Providing water, anywhere in any country, is only possible through partnerships, not only between different levels of government working together but also in collaboration with the private sector. We in the water sector understand that we cannot address global challenges without addressing nature issues – the origins of our water resources, and protecting them,” Brand said.
ICLEI provides technical consulting to local governments to identify and meet sustainability objectives.
Addressing perceptions that local governments are high-risk partners, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Head of Transacting for Municipalities and Water Boards, Ben Mokheseng, said effective partnerships and co-created solutions can yield positive results, making it possible for municipalities to honour their obligations.
Mokheseng said most development finance institutions tend to focus more on sustainability but often overlook the development aspect.
He said DBSA has been financing municipal infrastructure, with the bank’s local government loan book at around R33 – R35 billion, and R110-R115 billion is in local government.
“Contrary to popular belief, that book is the best performing book,” he said.
However, Mokheseng noted that poor governance remains a major challenge in municipalities, often leading to dysfunction, despite qualified individuals occupying key positions.
“If you don’t have political backing and proper asset maintenance, administrations are bound to suffer.”
The AU-AIP Water Investment Summit is running from 13-15 August 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Source: Government of South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged South Africans to keep engaging in discussions that lay bare their concerns, hopes for the future, and how they envision a better tomorrow for themselves and the country.
“This initiative [the National Convention] is about what all South Africans must do together to make our lives and country better,” President Ramaphosa said on Friday.
Speaking at the first National Convention of the National Dialogue, current underway at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria, President Ramaphosa said people must meet in homes and community halls.
“We want them to meet in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Our people must meet in schools and lecture halls, in boardrooms and on the shopfloor, on the pathways of our villages and the streets of our townships and our cities,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the struggle for freedom from apartheid proved that unity in diversity is not an abstract slogan.
“It is a powerful force for transformation,” he said.
The President said no voice is too small and no perspective is too inconvenient to be heard.
“We are gathered here to listen to each other; to understand one another and to chart a common path forward for our country. We meet at a time of profound challenges, economic hardship, unemployment, inequality, growing poverty and a crisis of confidence in our institutions.
“We also meet at a time when the world is rapidly changing and our ability to adapt and renew ourselves will define the next generation,” President Ramaphosa said.
South Africans, the First Citizens said, are sons and daughters of the same soil.
“We share a common past. We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality and of injustice. We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy. We also share a common future.
“Because each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to work together to build the future of which we all dream. We believe that if we share our concerns and fears, we can conquer them,” the President said.
In her welcoming remarks, Unisa Vice Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, said the National Convention marks a turning point in the history of South Africa.
“This is the process that will culminate in the National Dialogue. The process will help to reclaim our peace. As a country, we came from a painful past,” she said.
Chair of the Convention Organising Committee, Boichoko Ditlhake, said the National Convention is a process that allows the country to acknowledge its challenges.
“It is only us as South Africans who are meant to find solutions to our challenges.”
Ditlhake emphasised the importance of communities getting together to discuss their concerns.
“This is the beginning of the many engagements in our communities. We are looking at engagements that will involve more than 10 million South Africans to explore different issues,” he said.
He expressed hope that everlasting solutions will be found for all South Africans.
The two-day National Convention, in which stakeholders and representatives from all quarters of society are participating, aims to outline and agree on key themes for the National Dialogue.
The dialogue has been described by the Presidency as a call to action for citizens to lead an inclusive dialogue on the challenges facing the country. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Government of South Africa
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has met with all public transport operators in Soweto as part of efforts to find lasting solutions to issues affecting the sector.
Stakeholders included local taxi associations, e-hailing service operators and law-enforcement officials.
This comes in the wake of resurging violence which left one person dead and two others injured near the Maponya Mall, in Soweto, on Wednesday night.
The MEC described the attack as “senseless, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the safety and stability of our public transport system”.
She said such acts undermined public safety, tarnished the image of the transport sector, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
Thursday’s meeting resolved that all public transport operators must be allowed access and operate inside the mall and that the mall will remain operational to protect jobs.
The meeting also called for law-enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation into Wednesday night’s incident and bring those involved to book.
Stakeholders agreed that no operator or passenger should endure intimidation or fear of any form.
The department will set up a temporary office to assist operators with licensing issues.
Lastly, the gathering agreed that a meeting will be convened with industry leaders to discuss all issues affecting the sector.
The MEC urged the public transport sector – minibus taxi and e-hailing operator associations – to resolve disputes through platforms facilitated by the department.
The Public Transport Crisis Committee, chaired by the MEC, was initially formed to collaborate with the taxi industry and support the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE) to clear the operating license backlog.
It has since expanded to include all public transport stakeholders. This inclusive approach ensures representation from all public transport operators including learner transport, e-hailing services, bus and meter taxi operators.
Local government and various provincial sister departments are also represented in the committee. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: President of South Africa –
Programme Director,
Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa,
Members of the Eminent Persons Group,
Distinguished delegates,
Representatives of civil society,
Traditional leaders,
Faith-based organisations,
Business and labour leaders,
Youth and women’s movements,
Leaders and representatives of political parties,
Esteemed guests and, most importantly,
Fellow South Africans
I welcome you all to this historic gathering.
I have called this first National Convention in my capacity as the Head of State.
I have done so in line with Section 83 of our Constitution, which requires the President, as the Head of State and head of the national executive, to promote the unity of the nation and that which will advance the Republic.
I should thank everyone here today for accepting this invitation.
Today marks the first sitting of the National Convention of the National Dialogue, a space where we confront our realities openly, respectfully and constructively.
This is not a partisan platform. This is a national platform.
Here, no voice is too small and no perspective is too inconvenient to be heard.
We are gathered to listen to each other, to understand one another and to chart a common path forward for our country.
We meet at a time of profound challenges: economic hardship, unemployment, inequality, growing poverty and a crisis of confidence in our institutions.
We also meet at a time when the world is rapidly changing and our ability to adapt and renew ourselves will define the next generation.
But history teaches us that nations are not defined solely by their difficulties; they are defined by how they respond to challenges they face.
Our own struggle for freedom from the nightmare of apartheid proved that unity in diversity is not an abstract slogan. It is a powerful force for transformation.
Gathered in this hall are people from all across our land, people from all walks of life, people of all races, all classes, all languages and cultures.
Gathered here, at this National Convention, are farmers and informal traders, civic activists and policy makers, traditional leaders and waste pickers, industrial workers, unemployed men and women, unemployed young people, unemployed graduates, religious leaders, business people and public servants.
There are young people and older persons, men and women, people from informal settlements and rural villages. There are people with disabilities. There are survivors of various forms of violence. There are artists, sports people and cultural activists.
In this National Convention has gathered the rich diversity of the people of this country.
Yet, although we are different in many ways, although we represent different experiences and hold different views, there is one thing we have in common.
We are all South Africans.
We are, each one of us, sons and daughters of the same soil.
We share a common past.
We share the same inheritance of division, of inequality and of injustice.
We share the same pride at ending the crime of apartheid and establishing a constitutional democracy.
We also share a common future.
And that is why we have chosen to gather here today.
Because each one of us, regardless of our differences, is committed to work together to build the future of which we all dream.
We have chosen to be here because we believe in the power of dialogue and united action.
We believe that if we share our concerns and fears, we can conquer them.
If we understand the challenges we face, we can overcome them.
If we know what hurts us, we can heal. If we know what divides us, we can unite.
We gather here today, in all our diversity, to launch a National Dialogue.
We are embarking on a process that will launch a million conversations.
Across the length and breadth of South Africa, people will and must meet to talk of what worries them, what gives them hope and how they think their lives and our country can be better.
This initiative is about what all South Africans must do – together – to make our lives and country better.
Through this process we want our people to meet in homes and community halls. We want them to meet in churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Our people must meet in schools and lecture halls, in boardrooms and on the shopfloor, on the pathways of our villages and the streets of our townships and our cities.
We will meet online. We will call into radio stations. We will debate on television.
We will share our views and make our suggestions without hesitation. We will be direct and honest.
We will need to have difficult conversations about many issues, including:
Why do South African women have to live in fear of men?
Why do so many people live in abject poverty and so few live lives of opulence?
Why, after decades of democracy, are the prospects for a white child so much better than those of a black child?
Why do women get paid less than men for the same work?
Why, when we have a Bill of Rights, are LGBTQI+ people still discriminated against, stigmatised and harassed?
Why do clinics run out of medicine? Why do taps run dry?
These are some of the questions that we must be willing to ask and which we must be prepared to answer.
But more than that.
These are the challenges that we must be ready to do something about – as individuals, as organisations, as communities, as parents, as elected representatives, as public officials.
The National Dialogue is a call to debate and to discuss.
More importantly, the National Dialogue is a call to action.
It is a call to all South Africans to seize this moment for change and progress.
It is a call to build a society in which there is a place for everyone, where the country’s wealth is shared by all. A South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it.
We have come together in this National Convention not to have the dialogue, but to start the dialogue.
Gathered here are more than 1,000 people from over 200 organisations across all sectors of society.
Our task is to prepare for the thousands of public dialogues that will happen in communities across the country over the next six to eight months.
We are here to consider some of the themes that may arise in these discussions, understanding that it is ultimately the people of this country that will determine the issues that should be discussed.
We are here to reflect on how we should approach these public dialogues, what methods we should use to ensure that everyone has a say and that the discussions take place in an environment that promotes understanding and that encourages healing.
Through this National Convention we seek to equip delegates to be champions and enablers of these public dialogues.
We seek to ensure that we give the space to South Africans to define the outcome of the National Dialogue process – so that these thousands of conversations can be drawn together into a clear vision for the country and an agreed programme of action into the future.
Through the National Dialogue process, we hope to arrive at a social compact that will outline the role and responsibilities of all of us – as citizens, as the arms of the state, as business, labour, traditional leaders, religious bodies, civil society, activist and civic organisations.
This National Dialogue must be about citizens taking responsibility for their future.
Through the dialogues, people must be able to attend to the challenges where they live or work or study.
They must be able to hold their public representatives accountable and ensure that all public institutions fulfil their responsibilities.
This National Convention is the moment at which the people of South Africa take over the National Dialogue.
For more than a year, various formations of civil society have been working to conceptualise and champion the National Dialogue.
Central to this effort have been a number of legacy Foundations established by and named for stalwarts of our liberation struggle.
We express our gratitude and appreciation for the work of these Foundations in giving life to the National Dialogue.
We also thank all those from civil society, government departments, provincial governments, state owned enterprises and business who have worked tirelessly to bring this National Convention together.
We are extremely grateful to the Vice Chancellor, leadership and staff of UNISA for hosting this National Convention and providing the facilities and services that have made it possible.
I wish to thank the members of the Eminent Persons Group, all of whom graciously and enthusiastically accepted my invitation to serve as the champions and guarantors of the National Dialogue.
These esteemed South Africans are:
– Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson,
– Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and business person,
– Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge,
– Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier,
– Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend,
– Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart,
– Ms Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist,
– Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader,
– Dr John Kani, award-winning actor,
– Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion,
– Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024,
– His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church,
– His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church,
– The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town,
– Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission,
– Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart,
– Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament,
– Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator,
– Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor,
– Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, former Member of Parliament,
– Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion,
– Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist,
– Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary,
– Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader,
– Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders,
– Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader,
– Bishop Sithembile Sipuka, President of the South African Council of Churches,
– Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers,
– Prof Derrick Swartz, academic,
– Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert,
– Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer,
– Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning scientist and entrepreneur.
Since their appointment, they have provided valuable guidance and support to me and to all those involved in this work.
Lastly, I wish to thank all of the delegates to the National Convention and everyone who is followings these proceedings around the country.
You have taken upon your shoulders a historic task.
You have taken upon your shoulders the responsibility to launch a conversation among South Africans that will reach every corner of our country and that will determine the future of our nation.
Let this National Convention be a call to every South Africa to participate, to be heard and to be counted.
This Convention should not be remembered for fine speeches alone, but for the process it begins towards a new roadmap — a framework for political stability, economic renewal, social cohesion and a capable, ethical state.
We must aim to emerge from this process with a shared national vision: one that is bold enough to inspire, yet practical enough to implement
Let us speak with courage, listen with humility and negotiate with goodwill.
Let us be reminded that our disagreements are small compared to the magnitude of what we can achieve together.
In the words of the Freedom Charter, “The people shall govern.”
That governance starts here, with a dialogue that belongs to the nation.
I declare the first National Convention of the National Dialogue of South Africa officially open.
May our work here be guided by wisdom, grounded in truth and blessed with the spirit of ubuntu — for ourselves and for generations to come.
I thank you.
Source: Government of South Africa
Friday, August 15, 2025
Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says President Cyril Ramaphosa did not sanction Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya’s visit to Iran.
At a media briefing on Thursday, Magwenya said the SANDF was enabled by bilateral and multilateral frameworks to forge ties with other military forces around the world.
“The exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of professional military to military cooperation is encouraged within our system of government, this includes joint training drills with other countries, cooperation on peacekeeping and rescue mission during natural disasters.
“However, senior military officers do not engage outside of their military purview and they do not represent the country on foreign policy matters neither are they delegated to perform such functions.”
Magwenya said the President did not sanction the visit, as the General’s travel approval “starts and ends” with the Minister.
“As much as the President is the appointing authority and the Commander-in-Chief, he does not get involved in supervising the General’s travel. That process sits with the Minister. So the President did not know [about it],” said Magwenya.
The spokesperson said the issue was indeed a concern.
“In the spirit of heightened geopolitical tensions as well as conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill-advised.”
He said the General should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments that he made which delve in to the area of foreign policy “that only the President as well as the Department in International Relations and Cooperation are responsible for”.
“We are in a process of managing a very delicate exercise of … resetting diplomatic relations with the United States, but more importantly balancing the trade relationship in such a manner that that trade relationship is mutually beneficial and therefore it is indeed not helpful you then have senior government or military officials making statements that will further inflame the situation,” said Magwenya. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Government of South Africa
Friday, August 15, 2025
The long-awaited National Convention, which paves the way for the National Dialogue, has kicked off this morning at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria.
The two-day National Convention, in which stakeholders and representatives from all quarters of society will participate, aims to outline and agree on key themes for the National Dialogue. The National Dialogue has been described by the Presidency as a call to action for citizens to lead an inclusive dialogue on the challenges facing the country.
The Convention is also intended to agree on the approach and modalities for the nationwide public dialogues at sectoral and community level. It will also outline and agree on the key themes for discussion in the National Dialogue and establish a Steering Committee.
The Convention brings together representatives from government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others, to chart a way forward for the commencement of the National Dialogue.
In preparation for the first National Convention of the National Dialogue process, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with representatives of the interim Preparatory Task Team (PTT) on 7 August 2025.
READ | Call to make use of National Dialogue platform
The task team has been given the responsibility of organising the convention and preparing for the public dialogues that will take place thereafter.
Since April 2025, a Preparatory Task Team has been responsible for preparing for the first National Convention.
It was established as an interim structure pending the establishment of a broadly inclusive Steering Committee representing all sectors. It has been composed of members of the foundations of struggle stalwarts and representatives of the President. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Government of South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government this weekend.
The summit is a historic moment for Madagascar, following the country’s membership of SADC in August 2005.
The summit will focus on accelerating regional integration through key pillars: strengthening industrial capacity and regional value chains, modernising agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition, all aimed at building a resilient, sustainable, and cohesive SADC region.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, said during the summit, Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, will officially assume the SADC Chairpersonship, succeeding Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
“The summit will review progress on the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, consider the report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and review achievements under the 44th Summit theme: ‘Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC’,” he said.
He was briefing media on Thursday on the President’s upcoming engagements.
This weekend’s summit, taking place at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, will also see South Africa formally accepting its Chairship of SADC for 2026-2027.
TICAD9
Meanwhile, the President will lead South Africa’s High Level delegation participation to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan next week.
The 9th TICAD Summit will convene in Yokohama from 20–22 August 2025 under the theme “People, Planet, and Prosperity in a Changing World”.
Launched by Japan in 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD is co-hosted with the UN, UNDP, World Bank, and African Union Commission and has become a premier forum for African development.
“Grounded in African ownership and international partnership, TICAD has steadily evolved from conflict prevention and human security (TICAD I–III) to economic transformation, innovation, and universal health coverage (UHC) (TICAD VI–VIII),” said Magwenya.
The President will address a South Africa-Japan Business Engagement in Yokohama.
“Bilateral trade between Japan and South Africa had been expanding since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992. Japan is one of the major investors in the South African economy and has a presence in South Africa of 273 companies, sustaining over 200 000 local jobs,” said the spokesperson.
TICAD 9 will gather over 20 African Heads of State and Government, senior AU, UN, World Bank, and AfDB leadership, philanthropic actors, and bilateral partners including the G7, G20, and BRICS. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Government of South Africa
Thursday, August 14, 2025
African Heads of State have expressed strong confidence in investors following positive responses to commitments made on the opening day of the African Union–Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, Executive Secretary and CEO of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), Alex Sialabwi, said investors and partners were “excited” after a high-level matchmaking session and the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
Unveiled on Wednesday by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the council aims to scale up the Africa Water Investment Programme into a Global Water Investment Platform.
Sialabwi said the signal received on Wednesday was very encouraging, with the investors expressing enthusiasm.
“The leadership already demonstrated gives enough confidence to the private sector and partners. This is exactly what they are looking for: commitment and leadership.”
Sialabwi also highlighted President Ramaphosa’s reference to a landmark project by Rand Water, which was launched last week ahead of the summit, as an example of leadership in action.
The summit has drawn nearly 200 investors from across Africa and beyond.
According to Sialabwi, several countries have already initiated deals during private meetings following the matchmaking sessions.
He said momentum remains high after the Heads of State’s declaration on Wednesday, which will be presented at the G20 meeting in November.
Sialabwi said the leaders on the continent hope that the issues identified will lead to the further prioritisation of water.
“You cannot achieve solidarity and equality, [which are] the key objectives of the… summit, without making sure that everyone has access to water.”
Opening the summit on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa underscored the urgent need to ensure that every African has access to clean and reliable water. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Government of South Africa
African Ministers of Water have used the AU–Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025 to highlight the multibillion dollar opportunities in the water sector.
The Ministers presented bulk water projects currently underway in their countries during a ministerial roundtable on how they are de-risking the water sector.
Among the large water projects presented included the construction of dams, climate-resilient financing, and nationwide water supply programmes.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, told delegates that the country presents abundant opportunities for discerning investors, as it has “the highest density of dams in Africa”, with 10 600 dams built to date, creating vast investment potential.
“The new paradigm is that ‘a dam is an economy’,” Masuka said when outlining government’s ‘Infrastructure 6.0’ model, which integrates hydroelectricity generation, irrigation, potable water, fisheries, tourism and wastewater management.
To attract private investors, Masuka said Zimbabwe has developed Special Economic Zones, which are spearheaded by a one-stop investment centre — the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), working alongside the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to fast track government’s water projects.
“The two institutions, ZIDA and ZINWA, would be able to handle world investors in the water sector to ensure the acceleration of the last mile development of the 10 600 dams. If you are looking for investment, start in Zimbabwe,” the Minister said.
Climate resilient financing strategy
Malawi Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Sidik Mia, said while water is not only a basic human right, but also a strategic asset for resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development, access to water remains a privilege for the “lucky few” across the African continent.
She said Malawi’s Climate Resilient WASH [Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene] Financing Strategy, has assisted the country to shift from “reactive funding to proactive planning”, boosting investor confidence and unlocking new financing.
“The financing strategy is not just a technical document – it is a strategic planning instrument that brings clarity on the financing needs, identifies sources of financing, and aligns investment areas with national priorities, filling the gaps where we need.
“Financing strategies effectively signal government seriousness, readiness, and strategic intent,” Mia said.
Water for all
In Côte d’Ivoire, Water and Forests Minister Laurent Chagba highlighted the country’s biggest project in the water sector, the ‘Water for All’ programme, valued at 1 320 billion CFA francs (US$2.3 billion).
He said the initiative aims to guarantee fair and sustainable access to drinking water for all populations, both in rural and urban areas. It also integrates water resources management in the context of climate change.
The major achievements of the first phase of the project include strengthening the storage capacity of the country’s economic capital, which is the Autonomous District of Abidjan; the increase in the production of drinking water in 27 regions and departments, as well as the equipment of 200 chiefs from sub-prefectures to people deprived of water supply systems.
The initiative also aims to implement 450 000 social water connections over three years.
“It also [facilitated] the rehabilitation and maintenance of human-powered pumps between 2017 and 2020,” Chagba said.
In the area of water resources, Chagba highlighted the implementation of the Integrated Development and Adaptation Programme for Climate Change in the Niger River Basin, financed by a consortium of donors and led by the African Development Bank.
The programme covers eight regions and an autonomous district, mainly in the northern and central regions of the country.
“This programme illustrates the commitment of the Ivory Coast to making water a lever for sustainable development, social inclusion and climate resilience,” he said.
Ministers including the Senegal Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr Sheikha Atidi-Anediye; Abdallah Ahmed Balala, Assistant Minister Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability in the UAE, and Dr Engineer Abtamu Ittefa, the Minister of Water and Energy of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also took part in the plenary.
The Ministers commended South Africa and the African Union for hosting a successful summit, held in the lead-up to South Africa hosting the G20 Summit in November. – SAnews.gov.za
