Founded in 1903 amid Johannesburg’s early gold-rush chaos, Rand Water has spent more than a century proving that water, not gold, is South Africa’s most valuable resource. From pioneering bulk supply systems to leading today’s infrastructure megaprojects, the organisation continues to deliver dignity, development and resilience to millions.

“Our work is more than the average nine-to-five job; it is about service, about providing dignity and life,” says Sipho Mosai, group chief executive of Rand Water.

That ethos has guided Rand Water’s growth from supplying water to the gold diggers of the Witwatersrand to becoming the largest water board in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the utility provides bulk potable water to over 21 million people across Gauteng and parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West — an area spanning some 18 000 km².

Infrastructure

Recent milestones showcase both scale and foresight. Rand Water marked its 121-year anniversary with the launch of the 210 Mℓ Vlakfontein Reservoir — the largest cylindrical post-tensioned concrete reservoir in the world — and the commissioning of the Zuikerbosch Station 5A water-purification plant in Vereeniging. Together, these projects add resilience to the network and demonstrate long-term planning in action.

“Building and maintaining infrastructure is key to bulk water provision,” says Mosai. “Station 5A and the Vlakfontein Reservoir showcase our commitment and discipline in seeing projects through even in difficult operating environments. They are the result of years of forward planning.”

Station 5A, valued at R4.8 billion, is the largest state-of-the-art purification facility in Africa. Officially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2025, it will provide a massive 600 Mℓ of purified water each day. The President’s message at the ceremony captured the plant’s deeper significance: “Let the waters that flow through this facility be a testament to our commitment to provide clean and safe water to all our people.”

For Mosai, those words encapsulate the heart of Rand Water’s mission. “This project stands as a proud symbol of our shared determination to secure South Africa’s water future. It represents not only an engineering achievement, but also a commitment to service delivery, resilience and equity. Every litre purified here reflects the collective effort of government, engineers, scientists and communities.”

Financial prudence has underpinned these achievements. Rand Water recently settled its RW23 bond — listed under its R10 billion Domestic Medium-Term Note programme — at the principal amount of R1.23 billion. The bond matured in December 2023 and was redeemed through disciplined application of the Public Finance Management Act and the board-approved Corporate Treasury Policy.

“Amid all the economic challenges, Rand Water invested its redemption reserves wisely, yielding a competitive return averaging 9.15%,” notes Mosai. “We intend to use this approach to build future sustainability and retain investor confidence.”

Notably, throughout its 121-year history, Rand Water has never received a government bailout and remains fully self-sustaining. Fitch Ratings has affirmed its AA+(zaf) credit rating — a clear indication of strong liquidity, sound governance and low default risk.

Municipalities

Beyond infrastructure, Rand Water’s evolving role in the municipal sphere reflects its willingness to tackle the country’s most pressing delivery challenges. “From a business point of view, it is extremely important for Rand Water to support municipalities in the delivery of water,” says Mosai. “Many municipalities are taking strain, and we feel that strain through late or non-payment. It therefore makes sense for us to enter that space in a financially sustainable way.”

One example is the Section 63 intervention in the Emfuleni Local Municipality, where Rand Water was appointed by the Department of Water and Sanitation as implementing agent for the Sedibeng Sewer Scheme and Vaal River System Interventions. The success of that assignment prompted the revival of Rand Water Services — a subsidiary created to partner with the private sector and municipalities on water and sanitation delivery.

“Rand Water Services will operate as an independent, professionally run special-purpose vehicle,” explains Mosai. “It will manage operations, maintenance and billing, ring-fencing revenue for water and sanitation activities so that funds are not absorbed into wider municipal budgets. This is how we can ensure that every rand collected for water goes back into water.”

He believes the proposed amendments to the Water Services Act will further enable such models, creating conditions for stronger collaboration between water boards and municipalities. “There is little point in having pockets of excellence like Rand Water when some households still go dry,” he says. “We must be part of the solution.”

SDGs

The organisation’s approach aligns closely with South Africa’s development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rand Water’s operations directly support Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), achieving 99.70% on its water-quality composite indicator and maintaining uninterrupted bulk supply exceeding 24 hours. It also contributes to Goal 5 (Gender Equality) with 43% female staff and 76% female managers; Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) with over 3 000 jobs created through the Rand Water Foundation; Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) via its Project 1600 water-efficiency programme; and Goal 13 (Climate Action) through energy-efficiency and carbon-reduction initiatives.

Education and advocacy remain another pillar. Through its Water Wise campaign, Rand Water educates communities, schools and industries about conservation and demand management. Its Water Wise Education Team runs workshops, roadshows and puppet shows promoting responsible water use, pollution prevention and source protection – helping to foster a culture of stewardship from classroom to community.

“Scaling water access isn’t just about building more pipes,” says Mosai.

“It’s about re-imagining how things are done, financed and measured. We are investing in modern infrastructure, strengthening partnerships and building the skills required to meet future challenges. This facility is more than a plant; it is a promise – a promise to deliver life-giving water now and for generations to come.”

Rand Water’s constructive engagement with stakeholders is guided by five corporate values: innovation, excellence, caring, partnership and integrity. “These values shape our behaviour and our accountability,” Mosai emphasises. “Our reputation rests on the value we deliver and how we support South Africa’s economic and social development agenda.”
While proud of what has been achieved, Mosai is mindful of the challenges that lie ahead: climate stress, financial instability in municipalities and widespread non-payment for bulk water. “Hard work and innovation must inspire municipalities to reticulate the water they receive from Rand Water to every tap,” he urges.

Quoting President Ramaphosa, he adds: “Water is not just a basic human need. It is the lifeblood of any thriving society. It sustains life, supports industry, empowers agriculture and fuels innovation.” For Mosai, that belief defines both the past and the future of Rand Water. “The legacy we are building is one of resilience, innovation and inclusive water provision — a legacy proving, once again, that water is truly more precious than gold.”

Who is Sipho Mosai?

Sipho Mosai has been the group chief executive of Rand Water since 2019. Before that, Mosai was chief operations officer for 10 years. Mosai, a scientist by training turned strategist and business leader in the water sector, boasts over 20 years executive management and technical experience in bulk and distribution water operations; water infrastructure planning, maintenance, refurbishment, and upgrade; project management, scientific services, strategic asset management; and sector growth and development.

Mosai has served as a non-executive and board member in various institutions. This includes serving on the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), where he chaired the Human Resources Subcommittee of the board in his first term and the chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee in his second term. He currently serves on the boards of the Rand Water Foundation and Rand Water Services as a non-executive director.

Mosai holds the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science (University of the North)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) (University of the North)
• Master of Science (University of Free State)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
• Master of Business Administration (University of KwaZulu-Natal).

Station 5A Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant

• Location: Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant, Vereeniging, Gauteng
• Launched: August 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa
• Project value: R4.8 billion
• Construction period: Initiated in 2019; commissioning and optimisation ongoing
• Water production capacity: 600 Mℓ/day – equivalent to filling 240 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily
• Purpose: To secure Rand Water’s future supply capacity and meet rising urban demand across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West
• Project type: State-of-the-art water purification expansion forming part of Rand Water’s long-term augmentation strategy
• Technology: Incorporates advanced coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection systems, monitored through an integrated SCADA control network
• Engineering design: Built to allow modular expansion for future phases and to ensure operational redundancy during maintenance or peak demand
• Employment impact: Over 3 000 direct and indirect jobs created during construction; significant skills transfer in civil, electrical and mechanical trades
• Environmental efficiency: Reduced carbon footprint through energy-efficient pumping systems and optimised chemical dosing; full compliance with SANS 241, EPA and WHO water-quality standards
• Strategic importance: Strengthens supply resilience, supports regional economic growth and underpins South Africa’s water security for decades to come