By Bisola Adeyemo
South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has announced a two-day National Water and Sanitation Summit to seek for permanent solution to water and sanitation challenges in the country.
The summit which will take place from 18-19 February 2022 at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, will have stakeholders converge to craft lasting solutions to the challenges facing the sector.
Mchunu therefore called on water and sanitation experts, including industry leaders, non-profit organisations, environmentalists, government in all spheres, water boards, and international partners to attend the summit for the benefit of the country.
Mchunu said the two-day National Water and Sanitation Summit is solution-driven, and it is set to draft immediate actions to be taken, in as far as water and sanitation services provision is concerned.
All Ministers from other various sister departments are expected to attend and participate in various thematic sessions affecting services in the departments they lead.
The Minister has debunked suggestions that the summit is bound to be another government talk shop.
“Our people are tired of us talking and making endless promises. They want concrete solutions; they want clean water, and dignified sanitation from us, and we are constitutionally mandated to provide these basic services to them,” the Minister said.
Mchunu reiterated that government will not work in isolation and that views and inputs from experts and other stakeholders are critical in coming up with an inclusive and comprehensive plan.
