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The year 2002 will be a landmark year for the Department of Water and Sanitation and
Forestry. Through integrated governance we are delivering a better life for all.
This year sees the confluence of a number of programmes and events that will
expediteservice delivery, consolidate policy and focus on safe water supply and
sanitation as both a basic human right and a key to poverty reduction.
Our Free Basic Water Programme makes available 6 000 litres of safe water
per household per month to 58% (26 million) of our people as at February 2002.
Our Communication and Education Campaigns will continue to develop
awareness around integrated, sustainable water resource management and highlight
the links between water, sanitation and basic human needs.
Our Women in Water Award will be launched this year. It will acknowledge
the participationof both professional and community-based women in the water
sector by recognising their contributions to research, policy, management and
community development.
Our Cholera Prevention Campaign will continue to target communities at
risk with support and education, emphasising the three barriers to water-borne
diseases: safe water, sanitation and hygiene awareness.
Our Public Consultation Process will this year focus on two major issues:
our Water Services Policy Review and our National Water Resource Strategy,
the latter is key to the development of industry and agriculture.
Our Delivery of Basic Water Services remains on target to reach 14
million people by 2008. Over 7 million people already have access to safe water
where there was no service before. Water, sanitation and hygiene are entry
points for poverty alleviation. Safe water and sanitation facilities are basic
human rights that safeguard health and human dignity. Yet there remain 1,1
billion people on Earth without access to safe water supply and over 2,4 billion
people without adequate sanitation.
This year we launch the WASH Campaign (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene for
All) in South Africa. By doing so we join the UN's Water Supply & Sanitation
Collaborative Council in a global alliance for making safe water, sanitation and
hygiene a reality for all people on earth.
Finally, the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development is an
opportunity to interrogate and consolidate our approach on the global
development stage. Our premise is that sustainable development globally can only
be achieved through poverty eradication in the developing world.
Ronnie Kasrils Minister of Water and Sanitation
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