Agri SA gereed om in gesprek te tree oor Watermeesterplan | Agri SA ready to engage on Water Master Plan

English to follow:

Op 28 November 2019 het die Minister van Menslike Nedersettings, Water en Sanitasie, Lindiwe Sisulu, die langverwagte Nasionale Water en Sanitasie Meesterplan (NW&SMP) in Pretoria bekendgestel. Die NW&SMP skets die kort-, medium- en langtermyn strategie om watersekerheid vir alle Suid-Afrikaners te beskerm.

“Landbou as sektor is die grootste verbruiker van rou water en produksie is grootliks afhanklik van die beskikbaarheid en gehalte van water hulpbronne,” sê Janse Rabie, Agri SA Hoof van die  Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Natuurlike Hulpbronne. “Die bekendstelling van die Meesterplan verskaf ‘n raamwerk vir toekomstige water- en voedselsekerheid en dien as vertrekpunt vir oorlegpleging met die regering in die toekoms.”

 Agri SA is veral bemoedig deur die hernude pogings deur die Departement van Water en Sanitasie om met die Departement van Openbare Werke en Infrastruktuur saam te werk, asook beplande skakeling met die Suid Afrikaanse Plaaslike Regering Vereniging, om kwessies rakende die verval van infrastruktuur en watergehalte aan te spreek. Minister Sisulu se klem op die noodsaaklikheid vir etiese leierskap word ook verwelkom.

Agri SA waardeer die Minister se fokus op vennootskappe en haar insluiting van Agri SA as ‘n belangrike strategiese rolspeler. Die implementering van effektiewe waterbestuur is krities vir Agri SA en sy geaffilieerde lede.

Agri SA is verbind daartoe om met die regering saam te werk ten einde water- en voedselsekerheid asook ekonomiese vooruitgang te verseker.

Navrae:

Janse Rabie

Agri SA Hoof van Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Natuurlike Hulpbronne

(S) 076 457 9601

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 On 28 November 2019 the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, launched the much anticipated National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP) in Pretoria. The NW&SMP outlines the short, medium, and long-term strategy to safeguard water security for all South Africans.

“Agriculture as a sector is the largest user of raw water, and production is greatly dependent on the availability and quality of water resources,” says Janse Rabie, Agri SA Head of the Centre of Excellence: Natural Resources. “The launch of the Master Plan provides a framework from which the future of the country’s water and food security can be delivered and serves as a point of departure for engagement with government going forward.”

 Agri SA is specifically encouraged by renewed efforts made by the Department of Water and Sanitation to work with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and planned engagements with the South African Local Government Association in addressing issues pertaining the degradation of infrastructure and water quality. Minister Sisulu’s emphasis on the need for ethical leadership is also commended.

Agri SA appreciates the Minister’s focus on partnerships and her including Agri SA as an important strategic stakeholder. The implementation of effective water management is crucial to Agri SA and its affiliated members.

Agri SA is committed to continue working with government to secure water and food security as well as economic development for South Africa.

 Enquiries:

Janse Rabie

Agri SA Head of the Centre of Excellence: Natural Resources

(C) 076 457 9601