MINISTERIAL BRIEFING ON WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY
13 August 1999
Documents handed out:
SUMMARY
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mr Ronnie Kasrils indicated that the three main functional areas of his Department were Water Resource Management, Water Resource Service, and Forestry. He informed the Committee on what each of these entails. The Minister mentioned that ensuring that water is provided in rural areas in an acceptable manner is a challenge facing both the Government and his Department. The Minister commented on his Department’s budget of 2,7 Billion for the year 1999/2000 as being fairly stable, even though he did not agree it was enough. On policy issues, the Minister stated that should policy not work, it will be changed.
MINUTES
Mr Ronnie Kasrils presented the briefing to the Committee. He began by informing the Committee that he will approach his new Ministry very seriously and that his door will always be open. He reasoned that regardless of which political parties the Committee members belong to, it is possible to narrow the gaps for the sake of the people of South Africa and for the sake of the Portfolio
Minister Kasrils declared that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) has three main functional areas, these being Water Resource Management, Water Service and Forestry.
The Minster outlined the functions of the Water Resource Management as planning, development and, regulation of water resources. He said information on water both on the surface and underground needed to be obtained.
On Water Services, the Minister informed the Committee that the supply of water and sanitation to the communities is constitutionally a Local Government function. He however advised that the Department would support Local Government on carrying out its task. He said that the Department focuses mainly on water services in the rural areas. The Minister stressed the importance of supplying water to the previously disadvantaged groups, especially Black women. In support of this statement he quoted clause 27(1)(b) and (2) of the Constitution which state that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water and, that the state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realization of each of these rights.
Mr Kasrils then discussed specific problems facing both the Water Resource Sector and the Water Service Sector. He attacked the past system of water allocation as having been discriminatory. He said the Water Act, 1998, ensures that there is a minimum requirement for human consumption which is prioritized. Further, he announced that the system to classify water resources needs to be developed.
The Minister lamented that the backlog with regard to sanitation is tremendous. He declared that sanitation in rural areas has not been developed and, since there are approximately fourteen million people in need of sanitation, it must be developed. Furthermore, the Minister declared that unless the Government provides more money, his Department faces a challenge of reaching eight million people in the rural areas who still go a long way to draw water in the rivers and springs. He warned that cost recovery needs to be examined because it was a problem. Specifically the issue related to whether money can be recovered for services rendered in the rural areas. He therefore cautioned that the Committee be aware of the issue.
Another problem he identified was that of water losses. He said that at local services level there are massive water losses due to leakage and illegal connections. He gave an example of SOWETO, which looses 50% of its water supply due to leakage. The Minister suggested that the introduction of tariff system might reduce excessive use of water. He informed the Committee that a steps tariff system has been introduced in Hermanus in the Western Cape and, a survey conducted there shows that 96% of the community are in favor of this system.
Forestry
The Minister told the Committee that Forestry is divided into Commercial Forestry, State Forestry and Indigenous Forestry. He advised that a policy decision was taken that the commercial forestry system would be restructured. He reported that the restructuring process is well in advance. Concerning the commercial forests in the former TBVC states, the minister said that although these would be sold, the land on which they stand will not be sold but will be leased to the bidders concerned.
With Community Forests, the Minister announced the aspect of urban and rural greening. He expressed joy on the fact that Abhor Week has popularized the idea of planting trees to the community, especially to the school children. He commended them as having done a good job so far. In addition, Minister Kasrils announced that he is now introducing a concept of planting a tree as a way of remembering the deceased and in remembering the fallen heroes of our struggle.
He went on to say that on the 31of September at Delft near Khayelitsha trees will be planted in commemoration of women who have died trough abuse. He explained that the Working for Water Project dealt with the fighting the invasion of alien plants. He termed the project a poverty relief and a job creation programme. Since last year the project has been a recipient of donor funds to the tune of 120 million which was much welcome. At present the project employs over 20 thousand people, the majority of which are the alien species removers. Out of these programs, the communities concerned use the wood and the space provided for their needs. Minister Kasrils commended the Working for Water Program as a very useful programme.
On the budget question the Minister disclosed that DWAF budget has been increased from the 2,2 Billion budget of last year to 2,7 Billion for the year 1999/2000. He commented that the DWAF budget is fairly stable. By this, he warned, he did not mean that it is enough. The Minister categorized the budget as follows:
Water Services (46%)
Water Resources (35%)
Forestry (14%)
Corporate Services (5%)
The Minister concluded his address by stating that in his new Portfolio he has been travelling a lot, seeing dams, reservoirs and irrigation schemes. He challenged the Committee members to do the same. He informed them that he and his Department would work together with the members to organize such trips. Finally he said if policy does not work, it will be changed to see how it can best work.
Questions
Q What is the Department doing to curb the illegal connections
A There is a problem with illegal connections. In the North West the
Water Board has complained and two interdicts were served to the
illegal connectors concerned. We are fighting this problem.
Q What about the drying up of our water. I have recently read that in 25
years from now we will be virtually without water.
A South Africa is a dry country; we are classified as a scarce water
country. We have developed about half of our present water
resources. We must develop water saving techniques. We hope to
stretch our water resources beyond 2025.
Q How do companies link up with the Department on the budget of
2,7 Billion
A Companies like the Water Boards are statutory provisions, they
provide water. Their budget is not included in ours, they thus
provide their own budget. Section 24 of the Water Services Act deals
with these entities.
The Minister thanked the members for their attendance and closed the meeting.