The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality (NMBMM) has to understand what climate change means for it and how to be sensitive to its effects, according to Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation.
The battle against drought won’t be won until the population is informed and empowered about climate change, according to Mchunu.
Mchunu made the comments during a workshop where realistic and long-lasting solutions to water problems in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality were sought.
The Department of Water and Sanitation and NMBMM organised a workshop at the Coega Vulindlela Conference Center in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Tuesday to develop water resilience in Nelson Mandela Bay.
A total of 200 participants, including representatives from the Water Research Institute (WRI), the World Bank, the Cities Support Programme (CSP), the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), Amatola Water, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), and government agencies, attended the workshop.
Speaking to the attendees, Mchunu emphasised the goal of the workshop: to guarantee that Nelson Mandela Bay Metro residents have access to safe water, “regardless of whether the present drought continues or not.”
Mchunu emphasised the need of widespread public engagement through effective awareness efforts.
“Let’s educate the people about the problems we are facing. If people are unaware of how serious the problems are, we cannot be water resilient. The objective is to innovate. We need all the scientists to guarantee water security, and the World Bank has representation here,” Mchunu added.
Building water resilience is essential, according to Eugene Johnson, the Executive Mayor of NMBMM, who also said that climate change is a harsh fact. She emphasised once again the necessity to find the best solution to the region’s water problems.
The Nooitgedacht Water Scheme Phase 3 has been very helpful, according to the Minister, giving Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the surrounding areas with an average of around 190 mega litres of water per day from Gariep Dam.
Mchunu emphasised the value of public-private partnerships, which serve to guarantee a sufficient water supply for Bay people.
“We are examining the desalination of sea water technique. We need all the help we can get since this is a very costly exercise, Mchunu remarked.
The Minister also conveyed his sincere thanks to private businesses and non-governmental organisations for their recent excellent efforts in digging boreholes in the region.
He claimed that the activity had significantly increased the local water supply. The leaks rectification blitz campaign by NMBMM is having success, the minister said.