“Since its inception the Women in Water Awards programme has reached many milestones in empowering women whilst preserving our precious natural resource,” said Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, while congratulating the winners of the Women in Water Awards at Mzilela Village in Giyani on 23 August 2013.
The Women in Water Awards programme serves as a vehicle for the Department of Water Affairs to appreciate and recognise the good work done by women and the vital role they play in the water sector, encouraging perseverance in difficult conditions without resources. It also serves as a vehicle for communities to learn best practice with regards to water management, while changing their attitudes for the better. “Women are most often the collectors, users and managers of water in the household, as well as farmers of irrigated and rain-fed crops. Because of these roles, women have considerable knowledge about water resources, including quality and reliability, restrictions and acceptable storage methods, and are key to the success of water resource development and irrigation policies and programmes,” said Mabudafhasi, adding that it had been calculated that in South Africa alone, women collectively walk the equivalent of 16 times to the moon and back per day gathering water for families. Prizes were awarded in the following categories:| Category | Winners | Prize | Region |
| Adopt a River | Sizabantu Youth Farming Project Khangisa Women Group Masazane Women in Water Project | R100 000 R50 000 R20 000 | Mpumalanga KwaZulu-Natal Western Cape |
| Education and Awareness | Bomme ke Nako Mananga Home Based Care Selekane sa Bomme | R100 000 R50 000 R20 000 | Northern Cape Mpumalanga Free State |
| Water Conservation | Xikukwane Community Primary Cooperative Project Ikemisetseng Construction & Multi-Purpose Ngwanamanthe Agricultural Primary Cooperative Refentse Agricultural Project | R100 000 R50 000 R20 000 R20 000 | Limpopo Free State Limpopo Limpopo |
| Community Development | Phaphamang Environmental Organisation Zamazama food Security Refitlhile Project Rekgaratlhile Honey Bee | R100 000 R50 000 R20 000 R20 000 | Gauteng Eastern Cape North West Northern Cape |
