New water infrastructure agency for South Africa set for April 2026 launch
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) is on track for establishment by April 2026.
The body, according to the presidency, will be a new agency that will be responsible for developing and managing national water infrastructure and will be able to mobilise finance for new projects, including bringing in private investment.
The presidency said the move to establish the agency is aimed at increasing investment in the maintenance and construction of water infrastructure and improved water quality.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Bill into law in August 2024, paving the way for the establishment of the agency.
As implementation advances, Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation said it supported the establishment of the agency and the progress made by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
'It is important that risk mitigation procedures are built into the system to ensure efficiency and success,' said committee chairperson Leon Basson. 'Effective operation of assets and ensuring revenue collection through water sales is critical to ensure the sustainability of the entity.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Basson warned that the agency must avoid repeating the failures of other state-owned entities that have struggled with governance and administrative challenges. The committee also raised concerns about existing debt in the water value chain and potential threats to water sovereignty if the agency fails to meet its financial obligations.
Despite those risks, the committee expressed confidence in the agency's potential, pointing to the 'Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority's 40-year history of repaying its loans' as evidence that the NWRIA could be similarly managed.
The committee welcomed the upcoming gazetting of a notice to invite applications for board positions and stressed the need for a 'strong board... with the skills to ensure that the agency operates on solid ground.'
The committee also called for the retention of skilled staff, saying, 'employees remain a critical pillar of the NWRIA's work'.
It reaffirmed its commitment to finalising the NWRIA Amendment Bill and called for regular updates on the agency's rollout.
THE MERCURY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie's football vision in motion as business associate buys SuperSport United
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie's mission to revive top-flight football in the Free State has taken a major step forward — with his business associate, Calvin Lee John, confirmed as the man behind the pending purchase of SuperSport United through Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd. SuperSport International announced on Thursday that it had agreed to sell the Betway Premiership side to John's company following a closed bidding process. The deal is now subject to approval by the PSL executive committee before it becomes official. The move brings McKenzie's long-standing football ambitions closer to reality in his hometown of Bloemfontein. McKenzie has previously spoken publicly about working with a consortium to bring back Bloemfontein Celtic and re-establish professional football in the Free State — a province widely regarded as one of the country's true footballing hotbeds. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Now, with Siwelele FC poised to take ownership of SuperSport United, McKenzie's influence behind the scenes appears to be paying off. 'As Siwelele F.C, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL,' said Calvin Lee John. 'SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year platform that we wish to build upon, should we get the final vote of approval from the PSL Executive Committee.' John is expected to be unveiled as the new owner, if the PSL gives the green light — and speculation is already mounting that a relocation or rebranding could be on the cards to align with McKenzie's goal of restoring Celtic's legacy. SuperSport United have enjoyed 30 years of stability under MultiChoice ownership, winning three league titles and producing some of South Africa's top players, including Ronwen Williams and Kermit Erasmus. But the broadcaster has opted to shift focus. I am a die hard Bloem Celtic supporter, until it's definite return I shall support all teams in PSL so long 🔥👊🏾 — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 13, 2024
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
US redraws Africa policy map, what's in it for African leaders?
Early in July 2025, the White House announced that it would hold a US-Africa conference with five African states. According to Semafor and Reuters , the conference will take place in Washington, D.C., from 9 to 11 July 2025. Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal are among the invited leaders. The news of the summit comes after a series of US diplomatic engagements with African leaders, including Trump's meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2025. According to officials, the summit would prioritise business over aid, which is consistent with Trump's bid for a second term. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States will no longer fund charity-based aid programs. According to Rubio, when the United States distributes aid in the future, it will give preference to nations that exhibit self-sufficiency and a dedication to reform. The senior bureau official for African Affairs at the US State Department, Troy Fitrell, announced the evaluation of ambassadors based on commercial partnership. At the AmCham meeting in Côte d'Ivoire, Fitrell gave a presentation on a six-point trade strategy. Furthermore, to improve trade between the US and Africa, the strategy includes tariff reform and infrastructure investment. Following the US-mediated DRC-Rwanda peace deal on 27 June 2025, the meeting, which focuses on trade and investment, highlights the Trump administration's strategy of linking peace and stability in Africa to economic opportunities and access to vital resources. The conference marks a continuation of increased US-African engagement. Unlike his predecessors, Trump did not hold an African summit in his first term in office. Trump is scheduled to meet with African leaders in a multilateral setting for the first time after his reelection. The goal of the Trump administration is to replace humanitarian initiatives with business partnerships. The summit will amplify cooperation on regional security and resource access in West Africa. U.S. leaders emphasise private sector-led development as a means of fostering collaborative prosperity. Furthermore, African leaders will be proposing investment reforms. The outcomes will impact future US-African relations, according to the White House. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Mango Airlines faces legal challenges in its business rescue plan
State-owned Mango appears no closer to the skies again, four years after the low-cost airline was grounded in July 2021, as legal challenges intensify. Image: File Troubled state-owned low-cost airline Mango's business rescue practitioner (BRP), Sipho Sono, has instructed his legal representatives to appeal against the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, judgment stopping the implementation of its business rescue plan. The move follows Judge Denise Fisher finding that 'the plan, shorn of its complexity, amounts to nothing more than the confiscation of the creditors' claims in order that they be transferred by Sono to an investor who pays no value for them or the shares'. The matter was brought by Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS), which provided security-related services such as baggage and cargo screening services, baggage reconciliation, and check-in services. The company hauled Mango and Sono to court over the plan to save the South African Airways subsidiary. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ ACS is among dozens of creditors owed about R2.91 billion by Mango before it was placed under business rescue in July 2021. Mango owes ACS over R23.3 million and was among the creditors who voted against Sono's business rescue plan approved by 98% of the voting creditors. ACS objected to a payment to the creditors (clause 6.2.6) in the plan, stating that all of the remaining balance of the claims of the remaining concurrent creditors will be ceded to the investor at face value thereof, but for nominal consideration. In his latest communication all affected parties, Sono indicated that on June 17, the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, handed down a judgment in the application launched by ACS in terms of which it declared the compulsory cession contained in clause 6.2.6 of the business rescue plan was declared invalid and of no force and effect. The court also declared that the business rescue plan cannot be implemented. 'Since the handing down of the judgment, the BRP has carefully studied the judgment and consulted with his legal representatives,' Sono explained. The BRP said following the engagements with his lawyers, he intends to apply for leave to appeal against the whole judgment. He has accordingly instructed his legal representatives to prepare the necessary documents for purposes of noting the appeal and undertook to provide further updates on the status of the appeal in due course.
