South Africa’s water sector is at a critical juncture. As the country grapples with the challenges of climate change, urbanization, and economic development, the need for a stable and effective water governance system has never been more pressing.
The Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) has been at the forefront of advocating for stability in governance as a prerequisite for water security. Recently, the organization has observed with great appreciation the efforts of the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Pemmy Majodina, to stabilize the sector. Minister Majodina has correctly identified the challenge facing the sector, which lies in the municipalities. The Minister’s efforts to address these challenges and promote stability in governance are commendable. AWSISA urges the Minister to continue her good work of stabilizing governance in the sector.
The Importance of Stable Governance
Stable governance is essential for ensuring water security. The success of bulk water provision is premised on stable accounting authorities, specifically boards of directors. The stability of these boards is crucial for ensuring continuity and consistency in policy implementation, ultimately contributing to water security.
The consequences of unstable governance are well-documented. The collapse of entities such as Eskom, South African Airways, and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) can be attributed, in part, to governance challenges. These entities have faced significant difficulties in providing effective services due to instability in their governance structures.
Lessons from Other Sectors
In contrast, entities with stable governance structures have been able to provide effective services and contribute to the country’s development. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), for example, has played a crucial role in maintaining stability in the financial sector.
Similarly, the stability of the South African Reserve Bank has been a cornerstone of the country’s economic stability. The Reserve Bank’s independence and stability have enabled it to make decisions that are in the best interests of the economy, without fear of political interference.
Way Forward
AWSISA believes that the stability of boards in the water sector is essential for ensuring water security. The association urges the Minister to continue her efforts to stabilize governance in the sector, ensuring that boards are able to provide effective leadership and guidance.
Furthermore, AWSISA commits to implementing measures to promote stability in the governance of the water sector, including, the following:
- Promoting transparency and accountability. Boards should be transparent in their decision-making processes and accountable for their actions.
- Developing effective governance frameworks. Governance frameworks should be developed to promote stability and effectiveness in governance.
- Providing training and development opportunities. Board members should be provided with training and development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
By supporting AWSISA’s initiatives to implement these interventions, the benefit for the Minister is that of stable boards that embedded ethical leadership, good governance and provide effective strategic leadership that contribute to high water availability factor and therefore water security. When boards are stable and are allowed to serve their full-term, this stabilizes the institutions and strengthens governance. Instability in the accounting authority destabilizes institutions and has a potential to collapse them. The water sector has been fortunate to be led by executive authorities or Ministers that support accounting authorities or boards.
AWSISA appreciates this strategic leadership, and the stability brought into the sector.
AWSISA is a trade association that represents the interests of the water and sanitation industry in Africa.