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Date
: 06/04/2004
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: R Kasrils: amaJuba District Municipality celebratory
function
STATEMENT MADE BY MINISTER RONNIE KASRILS ON THE OCCASION OF A
CELEBRATORY FUNCTION ORGANISED BY MAYOR MLANGENI OF THE AMAJUBA
DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, 6 April 2004
The progress made in the amaJuba - Newcastle area - on water supply
and sanitation is an example of the progress that has been made
across South Africa in improving the quality of life of our
people.
Over 100 000 people have been provided with safe water. Over 13 000
have been provided with safe and dignified sanitation facilities.
R54,6 million was invested by Government in these schemes.
As important has been the work done to build the capacity of the
municipalities to continue with this work, to complete construction
of outstanding projects and to ensure that the services provided
are properly operated and maintained.
The Thukela Water Services Partnership was established with help
from international donors, sourced and supplemented by the
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. It is able to offer the
relevant municipalities a dedicated regional water service provider
function and I hope that the Ladysmith areas will also benefit from
their capacity. The Municipalities have also been assisted to
develop their capacity and undertake planning of water service
provision.
In addition to the 8 projects already completed, the two bulk
sewage works serving Madadeni and Osizweni areas, which have been
operated by national Government, are being transferred to the
municipalities which will be given support with refurbishment to
ensure that they are not burdened with immediate maintenance
problems.
It is thus appropriate to highlight the challenges facing the
municipalities. They have been provided with the means to provide
basic services to the people of the region. It is up to them now to
meet that challenge, using the resources that have been made
available to them.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry will continue to
provide support to help them in this task. But the communities
served also have important responsibilities. It will be up to the
communities to co-operate with the municipalities, their
councillors and officials at all levels, to look after the
infrastructure and keep the services working.
It is up to the communities to ensure that their municipalities
provide free basic water supply is in terms of government policy,
using the equitable share and other funds provided for the purpose.
Equally important will be for the communities to ensure that those
who use more than the free basic amount pay their way and that the
infrastructure which makes it possible to provide the services is
cared for.
Ensuring safe water supply and healthy sanitation is everyone's
business!
Enquiries: Themba Khumalo
Cell: 082 802 3432
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
6 April 2004
Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
(http://www.dwaf.gov.za)
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