Swakopmund:South Africa's Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has called on southern African countries to improve cross-border water management and climate preparedness. She warned that increasingly unpredictable rainfall and deteriorating infrastructure pose significant threats to the region's water security.

According to NAMPA, during her address at the third Namibia Regional Water Symposium, Majodina emphasized the need for Namibia and South Africa to deepen cooperation to safeguard shared water resources. She highlighted the importance of sustainable access to these resources for the populations of both countries, which share rivers, ecosystems, economic interests, and climate challenges.

Majodina underscored the daily burden faced by rural women who must walk long distances to collect water, stressing that this issue is not merely a statistic but a lived reality for many. She noted that southern African countries are losing a significant percentage of treated water due to leaking pipes and outdated infrastructure, advocating for the adoption of modern technologies such as smart meters and solar-powered boreholes to enhance water management.

She also emphasized the necessity of ensuring that technological innovations benefit rural communities rather than being confined to urban centers. Majodina called for coordinated efforts in investments and water management strategies across the region, highlighting the interconnectedness of water systems in southern Africa.

The symposium in Swakopmund gathered representatives from government, industry, academia, and development partners to explore strategies for water security, innovation, and climate resilience. Majodina invited Namibian stakeholders to participate in an upcoming dialogue in Durban, aimed at furthering discussions on water and sanitation management.

Source NAMPA