Tackling drought is a national obligation
I COMMEND the ANC government for owning up to the realities of climate change which has created unprecedented drought levels in South Africa and the world, as well as for taking remedial measures to deal with the devastating effects of drought.
Moreover, I commend the unprecedented humanitarian support of South Africans who collected litres of water to give to the people in areas most affected by the drought.
Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane told Parliament during the State of the Nation debate that the drought has affected the whole country. Five provinces have been declared drought-related disaster areas.
Water capacity availability at national dams to date stands at 53.9 percent.
This indicates the seriousness of the impact of the drought on humans, as well as livestock.
Hence I appeal, especially to opposition parties, not to use the drought for political point-scoring.
Rather, the opposition parties should take a leaf from the humanitarian support we have witnessed from civil society and play their part in helping the country deal with the effects of this drought.
Nevertheless, I’m encouraged by the government’s efforts geared at providing relief from the drought’s impact.
These include, among others, 95 motorised water tankers, borehole drilling and rehabilitation, the improvement of dysfunctional infrastructure and the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to work in partnership with the private sector and research institutions to devise schemes and means to mitigate the impact of drought.
Also, I’m mindful of the significant role that South Africans from all walks of life, including schoolchildren and private sector and community-based organisations, have played in coming forward and distributing drinking water to areas that are severely affected by drought.
This indicates social cohesion and nationbuilding in action, notwithstanding the challenges.
As a nation we need to minimise the impact of drought by using water sparingly, reporting water leaks and continuing to conserve water.