The Statistics South Africa (STATSSA) is the focal point for all 17 SDGs in the country. The DWS is responsible for the implementation of SDG 6 and the Deputy Director General: Planning & Information is responsible to oversee the implementation of such in SA on behalf of the Department and with collaboration with STATSSA. The day to day implementation of SDG6 programme is the responsibility of the Chief Director: Water Services and Local Water Management. SDG 6 contains 8 targets, all focusing directly on water and sanitation services and water

As such, the Department of Water & Sanitation is mandated to drive and implement SDG 6 in South Africa. It is also expected to support the other 16 SDG’s, through STATSSA as the national coordinator, which include water and sanitation components.

SDG 6 contains eight targets, all focusing directly on water services (including sanitation) and water resource management.

The DWS has initiated an SDG working group (SDGWG) internally whose objective is to coordinative activities related to the 8 Targets of SDG 6 besides inputs to other SDG’s. It has been structured in accordance with the targets and is fully operational and effective. It comprises ten task teams (one for each Target and two cross-cutting). The terms of reference and action plans for each have been approved for implementation. Nine reports have been submitted to the UN via StatsSA to date and the national and regional role out is in full swing.

The eight Targets for SDG 6

Besides the United Nations SDG Programme, the African continent has defined its own Goals / Aspirations through the Africa Agenda 2063. Agenda 2063, rooted in Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, provides a robust framework for addressing past injustices and the realisation of the 21st Century as the African Century. Besides other development issues, these aspirations include the African people having access to affordable basic necessities of life including water and sanitation, hence the requirement for Agenda 2063 and the UN SDG 6 to be aligned respectively.

To facilitate effective Water SDG implementation the approach of the SDGWG incorporates

• Establishment of an effective institutional and management framework
• Addressing the High Level Panel’s business actions which includes: centralizing water within growth and development programmes: development of an improved water governance model and application thereof; ensuring effective SDG implementation; and addressing the financing challenges.
• Implementation and outcome management of Goal 6.
• Alignment of and addressing water within the other relevant Goals e.g. Climate change, Urban development, and Ecosystems management.
• Addressing cross cutting issues and enabling actions such as policy development, research, financing and critical building blocks/success factors.
• Development of an appropriate management system.

A critical requirement for the successful implementation and outcome performance is the need to ensure an effective Implementation Plan. The Plan will set up dedicated and focused delivery objectives per Target with clearly defined outcome actions and deliverables per performance area (that must be in line with the master planning process actions), development of support tools to ensure effective implementation, sector mobilization & partnerships, ensure effective oversight &, leadership, drive, outcome management and coordination with other local and international programmes and institutional arrangements e.g. StatsSA and AMCOW.