Minister David Mahlobo on the importance of the water-energy nexus development

Key highlights

• There is a need to discuss ways of bringing about economic development, as the growth of the country’s economy has lately been proceeding at a very slow pace. What must we do, collectively, to change our fortunes and improve our conditions? Energy Minister David Mahlobo said that all South Africans need to contribute to the change.

• The nexus between water and energy is joined together with a shared destiny and shared constraints. The goal, through many small ways, is to re-energise and reignite the economy. The policies for the two (water and energy) are currently a shared policy, so questions around these two are usually the same. Mixed policy is therefore a necessity.

• There is no policy uncertainty in water or in energy, because water and energy are shared endowments. Investments in water and energy in Africa would be wise.

• Currently the renewable energy sources available include hydro, solar, wind power, nuclear and gas — and the energy sector is working at using all of these forms.

• It is important for investors to invest in water, as Africa is a growth point, and there is a need to come up with African solutions to African problems. All resources are finite, they all come to an end. Government needs to examine affordability and environment.

• The world is looking at South Africa as a place to invest in; many investment opportunities lie in developing infrastructure. No nation can grow without investing in infrastructure. Anyone who can spend needs to invest in water and energy. Africa is on the rise, as the population continues to grow.

• European countries are not growing as much as most African countries are. They are willing to partner with the international community, but are not willing to have “masters” who provide foreign solutions for African problems.

• The economy of the continent is growing, but we want to think as one people and promote an integrated, economically enriched lifestyle. There is a blueprint for investors who wish to engage with South Africa, in the form of the National Development Plan. Working on getting infrastructure up to speed will also go a long way towards promoting tourism, trade and investment in the country.