Background
The National Water Week is celebrated annually
often to coincide with World Water Day. During
the week the department raises the importance,
awareness and understanding of water issues and
challenges and then highlight initiatives that
have been put in place to address them, the role
it plays in the first and second economy
interventions, job creation, highlight progress
made towards reaching water related MDGs and
provide a platform to engage the public and
stakeholders.
Vision and scope of the campaign
Water is a precious and yet finite resource. Projections from experts point to
the fact that demand on water resources will continue to increase at a fast pace
in the coming decades with the Africa, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Asia
being the most affected. It is with this backdrop that this year’s campaign aims
at ensuring efficient and responsible use of water by all stakeholders from the
community to industry. This will assist in meeting the economic growth targets
as well as ensuring that every citizen has access to this precious resource and
that future generations are provided for.
The planned events are aimed contributing towards achieving the following:
Highlighting the crucial link between water and health with the objective of
eradicating water-borne diseases like cholera which is currently affecting
communities in some parts of the country particularly in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Launching the Water for Growth and Development Framework. Partaking in the World Water Forum in Istanbul Turkey as way of showcasing the
strides we have made as a country in the water sector through policy development
and implementation, technology and innovation as well as making a case for South
Africa to host the next World Water Forum in 2012. Recognise and award stakeholders who are involved in water conservation, water
demand management sectors, categorised as follows: industry and mining and
power, forestry, agriculture and Domestic and Local Government. Ensuring that the cleanliness and the integrity of our water sources and outlets
is maintained Ensuring the long term sustainability of our water resources Empowering communities, especially women, in managing and improving their living
conditions Developing an aware and responsible South African society across the demographic
spectrum Supporting the Baswa Le Meetse Awards 2009 (Youth in Water Awards) Celebrating Water as a source of life
Theme
Water is Life – Securing the Nation’s Water Needs across Generations
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