South Africans have significantly changed their water conservation and consumption habits, water and sanitation minister Nomvula Mokonyane told the World Economic Forum in Durban.    

Despite this change, she said a lot more could still be done and “must be done” to ensure the country uses its water supplies in a sustainable manner. She noted that many people were “embracing the use of grey water, recycling it and not using water once”, and that this should be adopted more widely.

South Africa has been grappling with a drought, and according to weather forecasters, another El Nino weather phenomenon could be headed this way again.

Mokonyane said she believed that what helped South Africans face these arid conditions was the country’s ability to act in unity.

“I think with the drought experience that we have gone through, what has been quite heartening is that we have seen the unity of South Africans,” she said.

She acknowledged that the agricultural sector had contributed to saving water by considerably reducing its water consumption and added that municipalities had come to realise the importance of greater investment in water infrastructure maintenance. She emphasised that “…if they (municipalities) don’t maintain in their infrastructure, we will lose”.

Currently poor water maintenance has resulted in the loss of water worth R7 billion.

Western Cape

The Western Cape Province remains a concern for the water department as its average dam levels are 22, 9%, however only 12.9% of the water is usable.

Mokonyane said the department was currently working very closely with the province to help resolve its water crisis as the City of Cape Town only has 88 days of water remaining.

Focus on infrastructure

In an interview with Africa News Agency at the Forum, Mokonyane said it was “quite humbling” that there was an increase in the number of possible investors who participated, and added that there was a keen focus on infrastructure and inclusive growth.