Date: 10/06/2005
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Mabuyakhulu: Launch of Water Project
Speech by the Minister of Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, in KwaZulu-Natal, the Honourable, Mike Mabuyakhulu at the launch of a water project in Harding
Programme Director
His Worship the Mayor of uGu District
Municipality, Cllr Sithembiso Cele
His Worship the Mayor of uMuziwabantu
Municipality, Cllr M.P. Mteshane
Members of National Parliament present
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Legislature present;
Amakhosi present
Councillors present
Distinguished Guests
Heads of Departments present
Municipal Managers
Officials from all the three spheres of our government
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour for me to be at this most important ceremony, honouring a commitment that was made by our government of bringing water to the people of Harding-Weza, as part of a broader service delivery programme of government, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.
The National Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Honourable Mrs Buyelwa Sonjica, who visited this area last year, was supposed to be with us here today to celebrate the realisation of a better life for this community. However, she has sent her apologies for not being with us, due to other urgent work commitments for parliament. Indeed, she feels her commitments have robbed her of an opportunity to share in the joy of our people who will be provided access to clean potable water for the first time.
During the Imbizo, which took place late last year at KwaMbotho Tribal Authority, a number of challenges were presented to government by the broader communities of Harding relating to insufficient service delivery in the area. Lack of access to clean drinkable water services in particular, were on top of the list.
As a nation, we have for decades endured a life of oppression, with an absolute minimum and even absence of services for a very long time. Our new democratic government inherited deep imbalances, particularly in the provision of water and sanitation services to all the country’s citizens.
When the democratic government was ushered in 1994, an overwhelming total of 14 million historically disadvantaged people had never had access to clean water and sanitation. However, in a short period of time the democratic government worked very hard to immediately reverse this anomaly. To date, 11 years into democracy, we have delivered clean water to more than 10 million citizens. This is a record service delivery, considering the fact that government is undoing a legacy of more than 300 years of damage caused by colonialism and apartheid, which deprived the majority of our people these much needed services. In a few years from now we hope to deliver water to all South Africans. That Journey continues with the launch of this water project here today.
It makes us proud as government and the people of South Africa to see government’s commitments being put into reality. Our Government has committed hundreds of millions of Rands for water and sanitation projects in many rural communities across our province. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, in partnership with our Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, have recently approved a number of water projects for this area of Harding -Weza.
Today we are happy to announce that government is investing an amount to the tune of R50million for the next six years for infrastructure to provide clean potable water to communities in this area.
This money will be utilised to build water infrastructure, such as pump stations, reservoirs, purification plants, fitting of pipe lines and purchasing all the necessary material. The following communities are going to benefit as a result of this project. KwaFodo, kwaMbotho, Harding – Weza, which includes the areas of KwaJali and kwaMachi. A total number of 78000 people are going to enjoy the benefit of access to clean drinkable water as a result of this project.
In addition, this water and sanitation project will create hundreds of jobs for the local community and will ensure the transfer of skills, thus creating wealth and promoting local economic development. This money is over and above the R5million commitment for drought relief which has already been given to the uGu District Municipality.
As government we want all our people to enjoy the benefits of their hard earned democracy. We know that water is a mineral that one cannot live without. Without access to clean drinking water and sanitation our people are denied of their dignity and self esteem. They become prone to waterborne diseases. With this project we are saying that the basic human right of access to clean water and sanitation, for our people is a right that we are committed to fulfilling.
Recently when I delivered the annual Budget presentation of my Department to parliament, I announced that as the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, we have made available an amount to the tune of R1,1 billion, through our Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), to all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, so that water, electricity and sanitation infrastructure can be rolled out and services be delivered in an accelerated manner to people. This project launch today is also a result of that investment.
As we speak municipalities are seized with this task of putting together plans to accelerate the delivery of services to our people in order to meet the set targets and timeframes. As the Department we are supporting municipalities to fulfil this important task.
I would like at this stage to urge all our municipalities to ensure that this money is utilise so that we can immediately eliminate suffering among our people. Our people must be able to access water without having to walk long distances. As we launch this project toady we are aware that there are some in our communities who still need access to water. We are making plans to also reach them.
At this point I would like to emphasise to Ugu District Municipality, who is the Water Services Authority in this area and responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services, that the provision of water and sanitation services must be linked to the development of our people.
Optimal empowerment and job creation for our local communities must be ensured at all times through their meaningful involvement in the planning, implementation of projects as well as the maintenance of the infrastructure that government is providing.
In conclusion I would like to caution our people who will be beneficiaries of the projects we are launching today to use water responsible, once they start flowing. We must exercise sound water practices and protect our infrastructure. In this region you have experience drought, your therefore understand perfectly the importance of water. It is imperative that we conserve our existing water supplies so that our dams can sustain us during difficult times of drought.
With these words I would like thank the Mayor, Amakhosi, Councillors, and all of you present here today for taking your time to witness the dawning of a better life for the people of this area.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
10 June 2005
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Mabuyakhulu: Launch of Water Project
Speech by the Minister of Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, in KwaZulu-Natal, the Honourable, Mike Mabuyakhulu at the launch of a water project in Harding
Programme Director
His Worship the Mayor of uGu District
Municipality, Cllr Sithembiso Cele
His Worship the Mayor of uMuziwabantu
Municipality, Cllr M.P. Mteshane
Members of National Parliament present
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Legislature present;
Amakhosi present
Councillors present
Distinguished Guests
Heads of Departments present
Municipal Managers
Officials from all the three spheres of our government
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed a great honour for me to be at this most important ceremony, honouring a commitment that was made by our government of bringing water to the people of Harding-Weza, as part of a broader service delivery programme of government, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.
The National Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Honourable Mrs Buyelwa Sonjica, who visited this area last year, was supposed to be with us here today to celebrate the realisation of a better life for this community. However, she has sent her apologies for not being with us, due to other urgent work commitments for parliament. Indeed, she feels her commitments have robbed her of an opportunity to share in the joy of our people who will be provided access to clean potable water for the first time.
During the Imbizo, which took place late last year at KwaMbotho Tribal Authority, a number of challenges were presented to government by the broader communities of Harding relating to insufficient service delivery in the area. Lack of access to clean drinkable water services in particular, were on top of the list.
As a nation, we have for decades endured a life of oppression, with an absolute minimum and even absence of services for a very long time. Our new democratic government inherited deep imbalances, particularly in the provision of water and sanitation services to all the country’s citizens.
When the democratic government was ushered in 1994, an overwhelming total of 14 million historically disadvantaged people had never had access to clean water and sanitation. However, in a short period of time the democratic government worked very hard to immediately reverse this anomaly. To date, 11 years into democracy, we have delivered clean water to more than 10 million citizens. This is a record service delivery, considering the fact that government is undoing a legacy of more than 300 years of damage caused by colonialism and apartheid, which deprived the majority of our people these much needed services. In a few years from now we hope to deliver water to all South Africans. That Journey continues with the launch of this water project here today.
It makes us proud as government and the people of South Africa to see government’s commitments being put into reality. Our Government has committed hundreds of millions of Rands for water and sanitation projects in many rural communities across our province. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, in partnership with our Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, have recently approved a number of water projects for this area of Harding -Weza.
Today we are happy to announce that government is investing an amount to the tune of R50million for the next six years for infrastructure to provide clean potable water to communities in this area.
This money will be utilised to build water infrastructure, such as pump stations, reservoirs, purification plants, fitting of pipe lines and purchasing all the necessary material. The following communities are going to benefit as a result of this project. KwaFodo, kwaMbotho, Harding – Weza, which includes the areas of KwaJali and kwaMachi. A total number of 78000 people are going to enjoy the benefit of access to clean drinkable water as a result of this project.
In addition, this water and sanitation project will create hundreds of jobs for the local community and will ensure the transfer of skills, thus creating wealth and promoting local economic development. This money is over and above the R5million commitment for drought relief which has already been given to the uGu District Municipality.
As government we want all our people to enjoy the benefits of their hard earned democracy. We know that water is a mineral that one cannot live without. Without access to clean drinking water and sanitation our people are denied of their dignity and self esteem. They become prone to waterborne diseases. With this project we are saying that the basic human right of access to clean water and sanitation, for our people is a right that we are committed to fulfilling.
Recently when I delivered the annual Budget presentation of my Department to parliament, I announced that as the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, we have made available an amount to the tune of R1,1 billion, through our Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), to all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, so that water, electricity and sanitation infrastructure can be rolled out and services be delivered in an accelerated manner to people. This project launch today is also a result of that investment.
As we speak municipalities are seized with this task of putting together plans to accelerate the delivery of services to our people in order to meet the set targets and timeframes. As the Department we are supporting municipalities to fulfil this important task.
I would like at this stage to urge all our municipalities to ensure that this money is utilise so that we can immediately eliminate suffering among our people. Our people must be able to access water without having to walk long distances. As we launch this project toady we are aware that there are some in our communities who still need access to water. We are making plans to also reach them.
At this point I would like to emphasise to Ugu District Municipality, who is the Water Services Authority in this area and responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services, that the provision of water and sanitation services must be linked to the development of our people.
Optimal empowerment and job creation for our local communities must be ensured at all times through their meaningful involvement in the planning, implementation of projects as well as the maintenance of the infrastructure that government is providing.
In conclusion I would like to caution our people who will be beneficiaries of the projects we are launching today to use water responsible, once they start flowing. We must exercise sound water practices and protect our infrastructure. In this region you have experience drought, your therefore understand perfectly the importance of water. It is imperative that we conserve our existing water supplies so that our dams can sustain us during difficult times of drought.
With these words I would like thank the Mayor, Amakhosi, Councillors, and all of you present here today for taking your time to witness the dawning of a better life for the people of this area.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
10 June 2005
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