KWAZULU-NATAL — Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to clean water access in KwaZulu-Natal, emphasizing that this essential resource is a non-negotiable constitutional right. Speaking at the official launch of the Mandela Day Water Services Project and Acceleration Programme for unserved communities, the Deputy President underscored that providing reliable water is central to uplifting rural populations and restoring basic human dignity.
“Water is a fundamental human right enshrined in our Constitution. When a community has no access to clean and reliable water, it is denied more than a basic service; it is denied dignity, opportunity and the full enjoyment of its constitutional rights,” Deputy President Mashatile stated during the event.
Held on Saturday, 18 July 2026, the launch aligned directly with Nelson Mandela International Day. The timing served to reinforce the government’s pledge to deliver essential services that protect human health and dignity, actively honouring Madiba’s legacy through tangible, on-the-ground action.
A focal point of the event was the official unveiling of two key initiatives: the Babanango Community Water Supply Scheme and the Msinga Borehole Water Supply Intervention. Deputy President Mashatile, joined by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, noted that these projects exemplify the administration’s dedication to translating Madiba’s vision into practical improvements for vulnerable populations.
The newly unveiled Babanango Water Supply Scheme is a comprehensive system featuring protected spring water sources, a borehole backup mechanism, a dedicated water treatment plant, reservoirs, pipelines, and extensive distribution infrastructure. Together, these components will deliver up to 500,000 litres of treated water daily to neighbouring communities.
Addressing the attendees, Deputy President Mashatile declared that the government is making a clear statement: “access to water cannot be a privilege enjoyed by some; but must be a reality for all”.
He further emphasized the inclusive nature of these development efforts, stating, “We are saying that no community is too remote, too small or too poor to be affected by development. We bring hope where there has been doubt, dignity where there has been struggle, and opportunity where there have been obstacles.”
Recognizing that local residents had endured years without dependable drinking water, the Deputy President framed the scheme’s completion as a vital milestone in the broader mission to extend basic services and enhance rural livelihoods. He credited the project’s success to the collaborative framework of the District Development Model (DDM), which fosters coordinated planning and service delivery across national, provincial, and local government spheres, alongside traditional leaders and community members.
Despite this progress, Deputy President Mashatile acknowledged that South Africa still confronts substantial water security hurdles. These challenges are driven by climate variability, ageing infrastructure, rapid population growth, persistent vandalism, and a history of underinvestment.
To combat these issues, the government has elevated water security as a top priority. A cornerstone of this strategy is the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, designed to rapidly expand safe and reliable water access to historically unserved or underserved areas.
Additionally, the administration is fast-tracking water provision through targeted methods, including new borehole development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting initiatives, and the rehabilitation of existing water schemes. To tackle infrastructure backlogs in rural and marginalized regions, the Water Services Infrastructure Grant is being actively deployed.
“These interventions are helping us to reach communities more quickly while building long-term resilience and sustainability,” the Deputy President explained.
In a symbolic gesture tied to the Mandela Day programme, the government also officially launched and handed over 27 additional decentralised water supply interventions distributed across KwaZulu-Natal.
Concluding his address, Deputy President Mashatile issued a direct appeal to local residents to take ownership of the newly delivered assets to guarantee their longevity.
“The sustainability of projects such as this one depends on community ownership and active participation. We must protect this infrastructure against vandalism and misuse so that future generations can continue to benefit from these important investments,” he urged.
