MIL Africa Engine

By Moahlodi Maphori 

The stabilisation of water supply in Gauteng remains a priority for government as it implements infrastructure upgrades, system balancing and accelerates investment in new storage capacity.

On Thursday, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina, alongside Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, Deputy Minister of COGTA, Dr Dickson Namane Masemola, Gauteng MEC of COGTA, David Mamabolo and Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero conducted an oversight visit to key water infrastructure sites in Midrand. 

The visit formed part of government’s response to the ongoing water supply challenges in Midrand and surrounding areas, where residents have experienced intermittent water supply linked to system pressure constraints, high demand and ageing infrastructure.

 Early‑morning inspections at strategic reservoirs

The oversight programme began at Errand in Midrand, where political principals and city officials received a technical briefing on the current operational status of the local water supply system.

An inspection was conducted at the Johannesburg Grand Central Water Tower in Glen Austin, a critical component of the area’s distribution network. 

The delegation also received an overview of how the system functions under pressure, particularly the role of elevation in determining which areas receive water during periods of constrained supply.

The ministerial delegation proceeded to the President’s Park Reservoir, where further assessments were conducted on the reservoir’s contribution to supply stability in Midrand. 

Officials indicated that the interconnected nature of the system requires careful management to ensure equitable distribution across affected suburbs.

Another identified challenge was that lower‑lying reservoirs and towers tend to receive water more consistently, while elevated areas become vulnerable during system strain, underscoring the need for improved balancing and additional storage capacity.

New reservoirs in Carlswald

As part of long-term interventions to address Midrand’s water supply issues, the ministerial team visited a building site in the Carlswald area where two new reservoirs are currently being built. 

It is anticipated that the new reservoirs will boost system resilience and storage capacity, especially during times of high demand or operational interruptions. When complete, the infrastructure will facilitate improved pressure control and shorten supply outages’ duration and frequency. 

Minister Majodina said government was concentrating on structural solutions that would sustain water supply in quickly expanding metropolitan areas, like Midrand, rather than relying solely on temporary fixes. 

“The goal of these investments is to future-proof the system and make sure that communities are not repeatedly affected by water disruptions,” she said.

Cooperative governance at the centre of interventions

The visit highlighted the importance of coordination between national departments, municipalities and water entities in resolving water challenges. 

Minister Hlabisa emphasised that water security remains a key service delivery priority and that improved coordination between spheres of government is essential to prevent infrastructure failures from escalating into community crises.

Mayor Morero reaffirmed the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to accelerating maintenance, addressing leaks, and ensuring that new infrastructure projects are delivered on time. 

The city is investing in major infrastructure upgrades in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill supply districts, including the construction of new reservoirs, the installation of modern pump stations, and the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure.

Reassurance to residents

Government has assured residents that work is underway to stabilise supply in Midrand, while longer‑term projects, including the Carlswald reservoirs, are working towards completion.

As government works to make the system stronger and more reliable, residents have been encouraged to use water sparingly and to report leaks and infrastructure failures to municipal authorities in the city.

The oversight visit signalled government’s commitment to ensure that water, as a basic service and constitutional right, is accessible to all members of the public. – SAnews.gov.za

As anticipation builds ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), leaders from government, the science industry, media and business gathered at NASDAK in Cape Town for a pre-SONA media networking session that placed storytelling, social cohesion and national branding firmly in the spotlight. 

Framed around the theme: “Post-pandemic and elections: Media, social cohesion and national branding”, the panel discussion brought together Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa; Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Pontsho Maruping; Chief Financial Officer at Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Tshepo Setshedi, and Managing Director of East Coast Radio, Mzuvele Mthethwa.

At the heart of the conversation was the pressing question: how can media help unite South Africans in a time marked by global uncertainty, rapid digital transformation and the aftershocks of both the pandemic and recent elections?

Media as a driver of social cohesion

Setting the tone of the engagement on Wednesday, Mnukwa underscored the powerful and regulated space in which South Africa’s media operates.

“When you look at the South African landscape, broadcasting and media occupy a significant space. We operate in a regulated environment, where we observe free speech and access to information, while ensuring balance, fairness and accountability.” 

She highlighted how media can promote shared interests across race and geography, drawing on examples such as the “KZN Unite” campaign during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. Competing media houses aligned their messaging to focus on verified information and collective identity during the national crisis.

Similarly, during times of disaster and relief efforts, trusted platforms helped convert emotional responses into democratic participation, mobilising citizens across racial and social lines to contribute towards recovery efforts.

“These are examples of social capital and trust. Where there are events addressing common interests, media and government must come together to ensure social cohesion,” Mnukwa said.

Learning from science: Evidence, verification and trust

Bringing a scientific lens to the discussion, Maruping explained how the methods of science, hypothesis, testing, peer review and correction offer valuable lessons for media credibility.

“In science, you start with a hypothesis, you test it, you invite peer review and, if necessary, you correct it before presenting your findings.

“There’s a level of convergence with how people should trust media. Transparency about sources, evidence and verification builds confidence,” she said. 

She argued that increasing transparency around how stories are verified, and allowing space for differing views grounded in evidence can strengthen public trust in journalism.

Maruping also made a passionate call for greater visibility of South African scientific excellence. From groundbreaking radio astronomy discoveries to advanced predictive election models developed by local scientists, she said the country’s innovation is often underreported domestically, even when it makes international front pages.

“I want South Africans to read about those stories and understand what they mean. If we can build the most sensitive radio telescope receivers in the world, what else can we do?” 

Maruping said science can also play a vital role in combating misinformation by providing verifiable, non-political evidence to counter false claims.

Confronting misinformation in the digital age 

The rise of social media and the speed at which misinformation spreads featured prominently in the discussion.

Mthethwa stressed that credible media houses cannot afford to be absent in digital spaces.

“Our job is to be present, driving the narrative that media can be credible and trusted. Accuracy is more important than speed. It’s not about breaking news first; it’s about breaking news that is accurate and truthful,” he said.

He called for stronger user education to help the public identify fake pages and unverified sources, while also urging commitment to ethical journalism and accountability across the industry. 

Mnukwa reinforced the legal implications of spreading false information, reminding the audience that under the Cybercrimes Act, spreading misinformation is a criminal offence.

“Before you puff and pass, ask yourself: Is it true? Does it cause reputational damage?” she said, encouraging attendees to use their personal networks to raise awareness about responsible information sharing.

Mthethwa further proposed proactive measures such as incorporating social media literacy into school curricula to equip young people with the skills to navigate both the benefits and dangers of digital platforms.

Nation branding and patriotic storytelling

A significant portion of the conversation focused on South Africa’s national brand and the role media plays in shaping it.

Mnukwa outlined government’s recently approved Nation Brand Repositioning Strategy, describing it as a collective effort that requires participation from all South Africans.

“We have a country that belongs to all of us. It is the future of our children and the next generations, and therefore, it needs to be protected and preserved,” she said.

She urged citizens to differentiate between legitimate criticism of government and pride in the country itself.

“We compete as nations in Africa, in the global South and globally. We need to be proud of ourselves,” she said, noting that South Africa is globally recognised for its landscapes and democratic values, yet often underestimates its own strengths.

Nation branding, she added, is not merely a government communication exercise, but a platform to promote inclusivity, explain policy choices and foster patriotism grounded in democratic participation.

Setshedi emphasised the importance of cross-sector partnerships in strengthening democratic resilience. Reflecting on collaboration during COVID-19, he noted how media and government worked together to share life-saving information clearly and consistently.

Such partnerships, he suggested, will be equally important in ensuring smooth and credible electoral processes in future.

Storytelling as a unifying force

In closing remarks, panellists returned to a central theme: storytelling.

Maruping urged the media to “figure out how to tell good stories” and to be confident that audiences want to hear about progress, innovation and achievement.

Mthethwa described radio as “the original social media”, highlighting its long-standing role in fostering connection, conversation and community are values that remain critical in a fragmented digital age.

Mnukwa concluded with a call for stronger relationships between media, government, science and business to develop solutions that position South Africa as a world leader.

“I do believe that solutions will come from South Africa, as always,” she said.

As the country looks forward to SONA, the NASDAK discussion served as a timely reminder that beyond policy pronouncements and political debate, the power of narrative grounded in evidence, ethics and national pride remains central to building a cohesive and confident South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong has called on media practitioners and government communicators to uphold ethical, fact-based reporting in the build up to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Speaking at a media networking session on the eve of SONA, Morolong described the media as central to safeguarding democracy and strengthening social cohesion.

“As we gather here, we do so not merely as professionals but as custodians of our democracy, as architects of social cohesion and as stewards of our nation brand,” he said on Wednesday in Cape Town.

He noted that this year’s engagement takes place at a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey, marking 30 years of the Constitution, 25 years of democratic local government, and looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“These are not mere anniversaries. They are testament to the resilience of our democracy and the enduring power of a constitutional vision,” Morolong said.

Reflecting on the past three decades, the Deputy Minister acknowledged both progress and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 General Elections, which he said tested not only the country’s health systems and economy, but also its communication systems and social cohesion.

“The 2024 elections marked a significant chapter in our democratic journey. It demonstrated the resilience of our democracy and the maturity of our political discourse. It also highlighted something profound — the critical role that public communication plays in facilitating democratic participation, in fostering informed debate and holding all those in power to account,” he said. 

Morolong emphasised that in a diverse society such as South Africa, the media carries a unique responsibility.

“In a nation as diverse and beautiful as ours, media is not just a conveyor of information. It is a mirror that reflects who we are and the window that shows us what we can become,” the Deputy Minister said. 

He urged media platforms to amplify diverse voices, challenge stereotypes, counter divisive narratives and foster a shared national identity, while maintaining robust debate that strengthens, rather than weakens, social bonds.

Addressing the role of digital platforms, Morolong described social media as “the double-edged sword of our lifetime.

“How do we ensure that the pursuit of likes, shares and followers does not come at the expense of the truth, accuracy and responsible communication? How do we harness the reach of influencers for nation building, while maintaining standards of credible information dissemination?” he asked.

He stressed that nation branding must be rooted in authenticity.

“Nation branding is not about creating false narratives and glossing over our challenges. It is about authentic storytelling that presents the full picture of who we are as a nation.”

Morolong warned of “deliberate attempts to damage South Africa’s international reputation” through false narratives and distorted representations, including exaggerated claims about violence and instability.

“These fabricated narratives, whether about widespread violence, alleged systematic persecution or grossly exaggerated accounts of crime and instability, have real consequences. They deter investment, undermine international confidence and most painfully, they erode the pride and hope of our citizens.” 

Morolong commended South African media practitioners for defending the country’s image through “rigorous fact checking and evidence-based reporting”. He described such work as “patriotism at its finest, not blind loyalty that ignores problems, but informed advocacy that defends truth while working to address genuine, systematic challenges”.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, Morolong said local government remains the sphere where citizens most directly experience governance. He called for strengthened communication capacity at municipal level, support for community media, and improved media literacy to combat misinformation, particularly around electoral processes.

On the relationship between government and the media, Morolong said it should be neither adversarial nor compliant, but built on mutual respect, shared commitment to the truth and “recognition of our complementary roles in serving the public interest”. 

As President Ramaphosa is set to outline government’s programme of action in SONA, Morolong said effective communication will be key to ensuring that it resonates with the lived realities of citizens.

“Let us commit to fact-based reporting and communication that builds public trust, inclusive storytelling that reflects the full diversity of our nation, ethical use of digital platforms that prioritises truth over virality, constructive engagement between media and government that serve the public trust. 

“Our 30-year-old Constitution gave us the framework [and] our 25-year-old democratic local government brought governance closer to the people. Now, as we prepare for another round of Local Government Elections, we must ensure that our media landscape supports informed participation and strengthens the bonds of community,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za