President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a National Water Crisis Committee to tackle South Africa's deepening water issues, pledging R156-billion for infrastructure over three years. The move highlights institutional failures over mere scarcity as the core problem. Experts stress that success depends on governance reforms and accountability.
In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa elevated water security to a top national priority by establishing the National Water Crisis Committee, which he will chair. This initiative comes amid widespread frustration over unreliable water access in areas from Johannesburg to Knysna and Giyani, a right guaranteed by the constitution.
The committee aims to address what Ramaphosa described as the central challenge: delivering water to taps despite South Africa's scarcity. The announcement includes a R156-billion commitment over three years for water and sanitation infrastructure, alongside accountability measures and legislative reforms.
However, the crisis stems from institutional shortcomings, including high non-revenue water losses. The National Treasury’s 2023/24 report notes an average 35% loss in eight metropolitan municipalities, totaling R8.66-billion, with Ethekwini at 53.8% and Mangaung at 49%. Johannesburg loses over 40% of treated water through leaks. Rand Water’s 3,300-kilometer network includes pipelines dating to 1907, serving Gauteng and parts of neighboring provinces.
Municipal debt exacerbates issues, with water boards owed R28-billion, leading to deferred maintenance. Drawing parallels to the 2022 National Energy Crisis Committee, which improved Eskom's Energy Availability Factor from 56% to 65%, the water response requires similar coordination but adapted to decentralized services across 144 water authorities.
Dr Anthony Kaziboni, a senior researcher at the University of Johannesburg, warns that funding alone is insufficient without safeguards. He emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder committee including technical experts, civil society, and communities to ensure transparent oversight and address inequalities in service delivery, rooted in historical disparities.
Past projects like the Giyani Bulk Water Project highlight risks of procurement failures. For lasting impact, the committee must prioritize municipal capacity-building and routine maintenance over announcements.
