Government steadfast in quest to provide clean water
Challenges persist but they are not insurmountable
A primeval chronicle tells us about a desperate scorpion incapable of swimming to cross to the other side of the river for the proverbial greener pastures. It negotiates with an excellent swimmer in the form of a frog. The frog was obviously and understandably sceptical to be used in this fashion, thinking this will end in tears. It did not hide its scepticism and told the scorpion: “I know your true colours, you want to sting me.”
The scorpion assured the frog it will not do such a thing because it would die if it did not cross to the other side. The frog was swayed by this argument. Midway through the river, the scorpion stung the frog and as it was about to kick the bucket, the frog asked, but why, after you assured me that you would not sting, and the scorpion replied: “I am sorry, but I couldn’t resist the urge. It’s my character.”
Water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu narrated the tale to members of the SS national committee on large dams at its annual conference.
He brought it home, saying people in the government have often behaved like scorpions as if certain unacceptable things are in the chromosome of the state.
“Government tends to do things like it is in our nature to allow the decline of infrastructure everywhere and I go against that. I don’t agree with it. I strongly don’t agree with it,” he said.
Since he assumed this portfolio, Mchunu has demonstrated, consistently so, that there needs to be a quick transitioning from caterpillar to butterfly to ameliorate the living standards of people, particularly in the provision of water and sanitation services.
At the time, there had been myriad challenges in the sector, particularly the stagnation and instability in the department that he was tasked to steer in the right direction. This affected, among others, the effective implementation of infrastructure projects that are intended to realise water security in the country. Top of his priority was to stabilise the department and unlock stagnant water projects that were not moving at the required speed because of this reason and the other.
Some challenges are the separation of powers as outlined in the constitution, with national government (department of water & sanitation in this case) and local government (water service authorities) having their respective constitutional roles to fulfil.
The national government is responsible for bulk water infrastructure while local government is responsible for ensuring that water is provided to communities.
Sometimes there is no parallel planning, resulting in bulk water projects being completed by the department, while the municipality delays in the provision of water to communities.
However, section 154 of the constitution places the ball in the national and provincial government’s court to support and strengthen municipalities with capacity to manage their own affairs and perform their functions.
In executing its mandate, the department has gone beyond the call of duty in intervening in water services authorities besieged with problems that hinder consistent provision of basic services to people. While at it, the department risks burning its fingers and encroaching on the local government space because of its drive to ensure access to water and sanitation services for all.
Mchunu’s first bold move was the reintroduction of drop reports that look into the quality of water, waste management as well as nonrevenue water in water services authority.
This is to ensure that municipalities account on their areas of operations and get their houses in order because there has been a general decline all round.
Mistakes have been made in the infamous Giyani water project that is subject to investigation by the Special Investigating Unit but Mchunu has taken the bull by its horns. The project is moving amid challenges, but hope has been restored to some communities.
There are other projects such as Mzimvubu water project and Lesotho water project phase 2, Clanwilliam Dam and Tzaneen Dam wall raising that had stalled but have since been kick-started due to the much needed intervention.
Like a scorpion, the department, as a leader and regulator of the sector, needs to sting to get things done the right way to ensure efficiency that will lead to water security that will improve the socioeconomic conditions of the country.