SA artisans get a boost from water training yard
THE Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation’s latest partnership with the Embassy of Japan looks set to deal with the water infrastructure challenges that are rife in the country.
Yesterday, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu joined Japan’s Ambassador to South Africa, Maruyama Norio, at the launch of a multimillion-rand water training centre in Roodeplaat, Pretoria.
The Training Yard, which was established and handed over by the Japanese government, is set to equip artisans in dealing with water losses in communities.
The Training Yard was designed by engineers from the Department of Water and Sanitation alongside the Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica).
According to the ministry, the training of artisans “comes against the background of growing concerns about the huge amounts of water losses – estimated at R9 billion a year – in South Africa”.
Ambassador Maruyama said the objective of his government’s assistance in South Africa’s water sector was to give support for skills development of local municipalities that were faced with challenges of water losses known as non-revenue water.
“The area of non-revenue water is one of the major challenges. Operation Vulindlela will drive the economic reform of South Africa.
“The Japanese assistance will help municipalities improve their performance in water services and to address challenges of economic reforms at grass-roots level.”
Meanwhile, Sisulu said water was under extreme threat from a growing population, the increasing demands of agriculture and industry and the worsening impacts of climate change.
“The department and Salga (the SA Local Government Association) are faced with a similar challenge regarding the state of non-revenue water in South Africa. The municipalities do not have the capacity and opportunity to train their officials on non-revenue water, and the country does not have a specific functional facility available to offer training on non-revenue water,” she said.
“It is clear that the Japanese model of non-revenue water management is the easiest in that it focuses more on the practical side of dealing with non-revenue water than on theory.
“We’ll continue to work with Salga, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Setas and the metros in ensuring that this project delivers on its intended objectives.”
Sisulu further pointed out that a lack of access to water was very personal to women, especially rural women, adding that these women were responsible for carrying water for their families to survive. While a South African company was contracted by Jica to construct the Training Yard, DWS Engineers, under Sisulu’s leadership, will handle all the activities including the maintenance of the Training Yard to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Also at the launch were the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Salga president Thembi Nkadimeng and the MMC for Infrastructure in Tshwane, Councillor Phillip Nel.