Programme Director, Ms Nondumiso Mabuza

MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Michael Sun

MD of Joburg Water, Mr Ntshavheni Mukwevho

Joburg Water and City Officials

Members of the media

Esteemed guests

Allow me to begin by acknowledging the work that Joburg Water, along with the Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), has played in the ongoing recovery of young Khaya Magadla.

You have worked under very difficult and emotionally charged circumstances.

As the City and Multi-Party Government, we continue to pray for the Magadla family, and officials involved in the recovery operation.

Programme Director,

The timeous delivery of the Lenasia Reservoir is another concrete example of the golden repair and rebuild the Multi-Party Government is undertaking in order to establish the economic capital of the country as a City of Golden Opportunities.

Rapid population growth is something Johannesburg is not only grappling with in Lenasia South but across the length and breadth of the City’s 1,645-square kilometers.

The opening of the new Lenasia Reservoir is one of many infrastructure-upgrade projects that the Joburg Multi-Party Government is undertaking to ensure access to quality sustainable basic services to all 6-million residents.

The overall objectives of this project have been to not only improve storage capacity of the Lenasia High Level Reservoir but ensure reliability of supply so that when a resident opens a tap they enjoy clean water – a basic right for us all.

This aligns with Mayoral Priority 1 of Getting the Basics Right, by ensuring that there is clean water and a sanitary environment for every community.

MMC Sun,

This has been a multi-faceted project that included site clearing, earthworks, layer works, pipe trenching, pipe bedding and most importantly the construction of the massive 15-megalitres concrete reservoir that we see here today.

The project has not been cheap, but residents can ensure value for money.

R45-million has been spent since this project’s inception in August 2020 to ensure that the residents of Lenasia South and surrounds enjoy safe and reliable water for their everyday lives.

With R13-million of that being apportioned to local SMMEs with a particular emphasis on skills transfer.

Not only has this empowered local business but residents have also benefitted.

R1.2-million has been spent in the past two years alone on local labour; creating 17 jobs in the process.

Tomorrow, on 1 July 2022, the Joburg Multi-Party Government’s R77,3-billion 2022/23 budget will take effect, this will also mean that Joburg Water will begin the rollout of more projects like this, to the benefit of residents, worth R930-million capital for water supply and sewer infrastructure.

In conclusion, it is with great pride that I officially open the Lenasia Reservoir. May this be but one of the many projects we launch as the Joburg Multi-Party Government. To progress with our ever-important golden repair of the City of Golden Opportunities.