Latest news with #LeonBasson
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
New water infrastructure agency for South Africa set for April 2026 launch
The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency is on track for establishment by April 2026, aiming to enhance water infrastructure and quality in South Africa. 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
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Water and Sanitation Chairperson Calls for Effective Communication on Water Shortage During Rand Water Maintenance
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Leon Basson, has called for effective communications to communities who will be affected by the planned maintenance of the Rand Water system. 'While we welcome the planned maintenance of the bulk system, it is important that communities are kept up to date on when they will face shortages and intervening plans to provide water,' Mr Basson emphasised. The Chairperson also welcomed Rand Water's proactive maintenance of the bulk system. The committee has consistently maintained that proactive system maintenance is essential to ensure the availability of water and reduce non-revenue water. Despite this, the committee remains concerned that municipalities are not taking the initiative regarding the maintenance of the reticulation system. "It is unacceptable that municipalities are not maintaining their systems, which undercuts the maintenance by Rand Water. If the system is not maintained from source to tap, the value chain will continue to experience high non-revenue water. We reiterate the call for municipalities to come on board and invest in maintenance programmes for their system," Mr Basson concluded. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa struggles to meet water and sanitation goals as municipalities fail to maintain infrastructure
South Africa's water and sanitation struggles threaten achievement of sustainable development goals Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation expressed grave concerns regarding South Africa's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by the year 2030. The committee's apprehension primarily stems from the evident weaknesses of water services authorities, coupled with the alarming inability of municipalities to maintain and operate essential water infrastructure. 'The diagnosis has always been clear; what is needed is a focused programme of action to change course and improve the quality of water for South Africans. While the National Water and Sanitation Indaba 2025 has made commendable resolutions, the inability of municipalities to correct course will render the recommendations futile,' said Chairperson of the committee, Leon Basson. SDG 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. However, the committee highlighted a disturbing trend: the ongoing pollution of river streams, a direct consequence of municipalities failing to adequately operate and maintain their water and sanitation infrastructure. Such neglect not only endangers public health but also inflates the costs associated with water purification efforts. Another pressing concern raised by the committee pertains to the downstream effects of this infrastructural mismanagement. As rivers become increasingly contaminated, the financial burden of cleaning water rises, posing significant challenges to local governments already struggling under financial strain. While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) holds the reins regarding policy directives for water management, the committee acknowledges the crucial roles played by sister departments, notably the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). Basson urged an immediate and coordinated response. 'It is important that the resolution taken by the water and sanitation indaba for the DWS and COGTA to engage with National Treasury to review water and sanitation conditional grants with a view to addressing the challenge of maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure is urgent and must be implemented without delay," he said. The committee also underscored the potential for innovative solutions, advocating for water services authorities and providers to build partnerships with the private sector. Drawing on the support of the Water Partnerships Office could prove beneficial, especially given that current fiscal constraints hinder the government's ability to adequately address infrastructure needs within the water sector. Moreover, the committee emphasised the necessity of top slicing the equitable share allocated to municipalities to manage the debt owed to water boards effectively. In doing so, they aim to ensure a functional cash flow throughout the water value chain, which is essential for addressing ongoing challenges.
