The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 05 March 2020. Ever since then we have witnessed the spread of the pandemic across the length and breadth of South Africa.

While the collateral damage caused by the pandemic is yet to be assessed, there are suggestions that the South African economy is expected to contract by between 7%-10% this year. It is estimated that close to 1 million jobs will be shed due to COVID 19. The logical question to be asked is: how different sectors will contribute to post COVID 19 recovery.

In a bid to stimulate growth, different sectors have developed models on plans that will enable the economy to rise from the ashes of COVID 19. Currently, there are 2 discussion documents on how to turn around the COVID 19 economic growth.

Both documents draw parallels on how water is a flywheel by which DWS will assist South Africa in growing the economy from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In one of the plans is it suggested that there is a need to implement demand-side measures to increase water availability and prevent wastage as well as supply-side measures through the construction of new dams and related water infrastructure, inter-catchment and regional transfers.

Linked to this is the implementation of programs for water resource protection such as the cleaning of canals, rivers, and dams. Across the country, an overloaded and poorly maintained sanitation system calls for massive expansion and maintenance. 

Accordingly, the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NWSMP) is a sound plan to ensure sustainable and equitable water use to achieve economic growth.

The Master Plan towards water security for the country articulates a series of urgent steps to be taken and implemented by all stakeholders in the water sector  to address systemic and infrastructural challenges to secure continuous and uninterrupted supply of water for both community and business use. 

The priorities on the NWSMP also outline immediate interventions the Department and the water sector will make to respond to amongst other 

challenges, infrastructure investment and maintenance, and licensing of water use.

Judging from the discussion documents, it has become clear that almost all Government and other sectors envisaged visions to recover the economy draw a recurring conclusion that water infrastructure is a key enabler to deliver inclusive growth.

This reaffirms that water as a catalyst for growth is a flywheel by which DWS will assist South Africa in growing an inclusive economy from the ashes of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Press Release by Sputnik Ratau, Acting Chief Director/Spokesperson: Department of Water and Sanitation