South Africa’s government has allocated R12.3 billion (US$US749.4 million) in infrastructure grants to municipalities this financial year as it intensifies efforts to address worsening water shortages, sanitation failures and ageing infrastructure.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the funding would support projects aimed at improving water security, repairing deteriorating systems and expanding reliable access to services across all nine provinces.
Speaking during her budget vote address in the National Council of Provinces, Majodina said the government was accelerating interventions to address persistent challenges, including water interruptions, sewage spills, failing wastewater treatment facilities and high levels of water losses.
The measures follow the establishment of the National Water Crisis Committee by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the rollout of the National Water Action Plan.
“Government is intervening decisively, projects are being accelerated, and partnerships are being strengthened to ensure that communities receive reliable water and sanitation services,” Majodina said.
Key projects receiving attention include a R2.6 billion bulk water supply programme serving Mthatha, Libode, Ngqeleni and Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape; a R4 billion water and sanitation intervention in Maluti-a-Phofung in the Free State; a R1.3 billion water project in Giyani, Limpopo; and the R4.9 billion Mandlakazi Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal.
In Gauteng, the Hammanskraal water intervention is nearing completion, with a new 50-megalitre-per-day water treatment package expected to improve access to clean water for about 47,000 households.
The government is also expanding the role of water boards as implementation partners to assist municipalities facing operational and financial difficulties, while working with the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and National Treasury to improve governance in the sector.
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As part of efforts to reach underserved communities, the government is launching a Rural Water Access Programme focused on borehole drilling, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and rehabilitation of damaged water systems.
More than 2,600 settlements have already been identified under the programme, with an initial allocation of more than R200 million for projects in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
Implementation is expected to begin in July and conclude in September.
Majodina said the government was also strengthening measures against corruption in the water sector through the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, established in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit.
The infrastructure push comes as South Africa faces mounting pressure to modernise its water systems, reduce losses and secure long-term supply amid growing demand and climate-related challenges.
The minister called for stronger cooperation between government, communities and the private sector to ensure the country’s water infrastructure can support future economic and social needs.
