In a move to address the persistent water crisis plaguing Northern KwaZulu-Natal, a hefty R321 million will now flow into the heart of Ladysmith and its surrounding towns, all within the uThukela District Municipality. This initiative stems from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN CoGTA), marking a pivotal step under the District Development Model to rejuvenate the region’s water infrastructure.
It is crucial to recognise that the uThukela District Municipality encompasses Ladysmith, Estcourt, and Okahlamba, and according to KZN CoGTA, this investment is vital for tackling the severe water challenges confronting these areas.
The announcement follows a successful Water Summit led by the Deputy Minister for Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who also serves as the Ministerial Champion for the uThukela District under the District Development Model (DDM), alongside KZN COGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. The summit, held in Ladysmith from 23 to 25 January 2025, convened a broad spectrum of stakeholders including businesses, NGOs, state agencies, and municipal leaders to address the district’s water issues.
Key resolutions from the summit include:
- Strengthening measures to reduce non-revenue water loss.
- The establishment of an uThukela Water Steering Committee to expedite water access solutions under the DDM.
- Implementing stringent measures against government entities not paying for services provided by the district municipality.
Furthermore, the R321 million will fund various water-related interventions:
- Infrastructure upgrades: This involves the rehabilitation and expansion of water infrastructure like pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment plants.
- Operational and maintenance support: Ensuring the infrastructure operates efficiently to minimize service interruptions.
To leverage this investment effectively, the Umgeni-uThukela Water Board will take a proactive role in water provision in the district.
“The summit also condemned the recent act of sabotage on water infrastructure in the Sahlumbe community, which has left residents without water for over four years. This act of vandalism, which involved the deliberate obstruction of water flow, highlights the critical need for improved water security and the importance of community awareness and vigilance,” stated KZN CoGTA.
Building on this, KZN CoGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi reiterated the provincial government’s dedication to resolving water challenges in the uThukela District.
“He has assigned senior officials from the Department to work closely with the district municipality and the Umgeni-uThukela Water Board to ensure the effective utilization of these funds and the successful implementation of water-related projects,” explained the KZN Cogta’s Communications Unit.
The uThukela District Municipality welcomed the investment, noting that the summit also acknowledged the interconnections between water, climate change, biodiversity, and pollution, emphasising water’s role in climate adaptation policies.
“As it was also mentioned that water quality is deteriorating, water availability is decreasing, demand for water is increasing, and populations are facing water scarcity. In the meantime, demand for water around the district, and probably beyond, is expected to increase, while universal and equitable access to water and sanitation is far from being reached.,” said the District Municipality’s Communications Unit.
MEC Reverend Buthelezi further pointed out challenges related to the district’s water treatment plants, highlighting that uThukela is among the best-resourced municipalities in terms of technical staff capacity. They have already submitted a business plan for funding bulk infrastructure projects. Four commissions were established to tackle:
- Improvement of uThukela Water Governance.
- Collaboration with the private sector for effective provision of safe water and sanitation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
- Strengthening revenue enhancement and determining effective cost-reflective tariffs for infrastructure development.
- Management of water resources and compliance with the regulatory framework.
Once these issues are addressed, MEC Buthelezi believes that uThukela District Municipality has the potential to become one of the best-functioning Water Authorities in South Africa.
As substantial investments pour into the water infrastructure of Ladysmith, Estcourt, and Okahlamba, what are your thoughts on these developments? Share your views in the comment section below.
