President Jacob Zuma announced the establishment of a new Ministry of Water and Sanitation this weekend.

“We have made an undertaking to significantly improve the provision of water and sanitation to our communities in the new term. In this regard, we have established the Ministry of Water and Sanitation,” Zuma said during the announcement of the new National Executive on Sunday 25 May.

Zuma announced that former Premier of Gauteng Nomvula Mokonyane will be the minister of the new water and sanitation ministry, while Pam Tshwete will serve as the deputy minister.

The Ministry of Water and Sanitation is one of four new ministries set up by Zuma’s administration. The others are the Small Business Development Ministry, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services, and the Communications Ministry.