ACTING MAYOR CLLR T.E. MTHEMBU PAVES THE WAY FOR SOLUTIONS TO OVERCOME WATER CHALLENGES PLAGUING THE DISTRICT AT THE AMAJUBA DISTRICT WATER SUMMIT 2025 LAUNCH
the Amajuba District Water Summit 2025 was officially launched, and spearheaded by the Honourable Acting Mayor, Cllr T.E. Mthembu of Amajuba District Municipality.
The summit brought together a diverse and distinguished assembly of leaders, stakeholders, and Traditional Authorities, including
representatives from eMadlangeni, Dannhauser and Newcastle Local Municipalities, as well as Amakhosi AseNdlunkulu.
This critical summit sought to address the pressing water and sanitation challenges faced by the district and the nation at large, with a focus on collaborative problem-solving and innovative strategies for sustainable solutions.
In his address, Honourable Acting Mayor Cllr T.E. Mthembu outlined a comprehensive set of practical interventions that are being implemented by the municipality. These initiatives include the redeployment of previously unused water tankers and the completion of essential reticulation repairs.
Furthermore, Cllr Mthembu elaborated on long-term strategies designed to address ongoing water challenges, underscoring the necessity for substantial infrastructure investment, reduction in water losses, promotion of water conservation, and exploration of alternative water sources such as boreholes and rainwater harvesting.
The launch of the summit was further strengthened by the support of the Honourable Chairperson of SALGA KZN and His Worship the Mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality, Cllr D.X. Dube. In his opening remarks, Cllr Dube emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in the approach to water-related issues, urging the swift translation of leadership decisions into concrete actions. He called on municipal Officials to implement strategies that would deliver lasting improvements to Residents’ lives, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable water future for all.
Acting Municipal Manager, Mr. T. Dube, also addressed the gathering, making a compelling case for governance that is firmly rooted in the tangible needs of the Community. He stressed the importance of aligning municipal strategies with the practical realities faced by Residents, ensuring that decisions made at all levels would result in meaningful outcomes. Mr Dube highlighted the urgency of addressing the current water challenges and reinforced that the summit represents a pivotal moment in the district’s approach to service delivery, urging all stakeholders to act with both urgency and foresight.
The summit was further enhanced by the participation of key representatives from The Department of Mineral Resources and CoGTA, whose presence underscored the necessity of strengthened coordination across national, provincial, and local governments. Their involvement emphasized the importance of a unified effort in tackling systemic inefficiencies within the water sector, particularly in harmonizing reticulation systems with bulk water infrastructure to create more resilient and sustainable water systems.
The second segment of the programme featured insightful presentations from UThukela Water on water provision, Newcastle Local Municipality on water and sanitation interventions, and Amajuba District Municipality on its ongoing efforts in this critical sector including water scarcity and water loss.
Stakeholders engaged in thought-provoking and forward-looking discussions, striving to create pragmatic solutions and actionable strategies that would not only address immediate water challenges but also ensure long-term sustainability. These robust engagements underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision in transforming the water landscape of the district.
In conclusion, the Amajuba District Water Summit 2025 stands as a defining moment in the collective drive towards achieving sustainable and equitable water access for all. The summit exemplifies a strategic convergence of leadership, expertise, and commitment, signaling a new era of collaboration between local, provincial, and national authorities.
The decisive actions and innovative approaches discussed today are poised to create lasting change, empowering Communities and ensuring that the district’s water challenges are met with resilience and foresight. This summit not only marks a milestone in water governance but also reaffirms the commitment to a future where access to clean and reliable water is a universal reality.