Speaking truth to power in SA’s water challenges

IMAGINE a woman in rural South Africa, balancing a baby on her back while pushing a wheelbarrow filled with containers of water. The journey is long, the terrain uneven, and the weight of the water is heavy. And even that of the child.

- LEBOGANG MASEKO

This is not an isolated scene; it is the daily reality for countless women across the country. For many, this is not just a chore; it is a necessity for survival. Growing up, I too experienced this reality. As a child, | even found a strange joy in it, turning the wheelbarrow into a toy, and playing games with my peers because we lacked proper toys. But as I grew older, | realized the gravity of what this meant. A life where access to clean, reliable water was not a given, but a constant struggle.

This is the backdrop against which the Department of Water and Sanitation’s upcoming Water & Sanitation Indaba must be viewed. Scheduled for March 27-28, the Indaba is a commendable step towards addressing South Africa’s water challenges. However, while the proposed strategies and high-level discussions are important, they must translate into real, tangible improvements in the lives of those who still face daily water challenges. For the women still pushing wheelbar rows, for the child playing with them because there are no toys, and for the millions of South Africans without reliable access to water, the indaba must be more than just another meeting. It must be a turning point.

As a public servant, I believe it is my duty to be honest about the challenges we still face. The importance of water security cannot be overstated, and neither can the urgency of addressing the gaps between policy and reality. Many of my own family members still struggle with unreliable water access. This is not a distant issue; it is deeply personal. Acknowledging these hardships is essential if we are to make meaningful progress.