Minister Senzo Mchunu leads water sector delegation at Stockholm World Water Week

Minister Senzo Mchunu is leading a South African delegation on water at the Stockholm World Water Week from 29 August – 01 September 2022 in Sweden where he will participate in several panel discussions with his counterparts from across the world in attempts to profile South Africa’s measures to ensure water security.

Stockholm World Water Week is a global conference themed: “Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water” which is centred around global water issues and aims to explore new ways of managing water while tackling the impact of water shortage on food security, health, and agriculture, amongst others.

“Some of the discussions Minister Mchunu will participate in will focus on the role of private sector finance on wastewater treatment in Africa, water investment in Africa as well as the value of water cooperation,” said Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi.

Minister Mchunu is joined by the Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips and several other senior officials from the Department and Entities.

“On Sunday, 28 August, Minister Mchunu met with Ambassador Brigitte Mabandla, the South African Ambassador to Sweden where the RSA delegation was introduced and given a platform detail their role at the conference,” said Mogotsi.

Ambassador Mabandla implored the delegation to become torch bearers for water security and represent the country well.

“It really feels good to meet with people from back home and I am pleased that we have prepared thoroughly to participate on discussions with your expertise. As you all know, nothing exists without water. Therefore, let us ensure that when we leave here, we go back home with enhanced knowledge on how we can ensure water security for all,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Mchunu expressed his confidence in 16-year-old Unam Halam who is set to present the Drop Saver invention which is aimed at curbing water leaks as part of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competitions. Minister Mchunu and Dr Phillips will attend the junior competitions in support of Halam who will be competing with her counterparts from 36 other countries.

“I am meeting Unam officially tomorrow and I cannot wait to see the dynamite that everyone keeps telling me about. Her invention is much needed, especially with South Africa being a water scarce country. I am looking forward to meeting her and spending some time with her,” he said.

Minister Mchunu has further committed to ensure that the discussions during the conference will bear fruit as they will be solution driven and aim to address the severe water challenges as experienced in some parts of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942

Source: Government of South Africa