Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo is undertaking a high-level working visit to Japan to strengthen bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Japan in the water and sanitation sector.
The visit, from 23 - 27 February, builds on the longstanding partnership between the two countries and advances the existing Technical Cooperation Agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with a particular focus on capacity building, skills transfer, and sustainable water management solutions.
Mahlobo’s visit comes at a time when he has been closely involved in stabilising water supply systems in Johannesburg, working with municipalities, water entities, and communities to address infrastructure pressures and service delivery constraints.
The department said this firsthand experience in navigating complex operational and governance challenges brings a practical perspective to the delegation and positions the visit as a continuation of ongoing efforts to secure long-term sustainability in South Africa’s water sector.
The Deputy Minister is accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), reflecting a coordinated approach to supporting municipalities and driving measurable reform in water management.
South Africa continues to grapple with serious water sector challenges, with non-revenue water identified as a critical concern in more than 80 percent of assessed municipalities. Water losses through leaks, illegal connections and billing inefficiencies are placing immense strain on already constrained municipal finances and infrastructure systems.
“Reducing these losses is central to restoring reliable supply, protecting revenue, improving infrastructure performance and safeguarding scarce water resources in a climate-constrained environment,” the department said in a statement.
The visit also reinforces cooperation with the Government of Japan, represented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Cooperation, focuses on water infrastructure management, disaster risk reduction and capacity building, and has positioned Japan as a strategic technical partner in strengthening South Africa’s water sector.
The department noted that through the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), South Africa has already advanced the development of a comprehensive Non-Revenue Water Training Programme, aimed at strengthening the Department’s Infrastructure Branch Training Centre in Roodeplaat.
According to the department, the technical cooperation has resulted in the construction of a specialised training yard that simulates real municipal water systems and provides hands-on, practical learning directly aligned to the operational realities faced by municipalities.
“Implemented in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association and MISA, the programme prioritises practical skills in pressure management, metering accuracy, data analysis and active leakage detection,” the department said.
Technical cooperation agreement
In terms of the Technical Cooperation Agreement, the department reported that 10 South African officials per year over a three-year period will participate in specialised training of trainers programmes in Japan, producing 30 accredited trainers.
“From 2 to 13 February 2026, the first group of 10 water sector officials — drawn from municipalities, MISA and the department — are participating in the intensive programme to ensure that expertise acquired in Japan is institutionalised and cascaded locally,” the department said.
During the visit, the delegation will engage with Japanese counterparts to review and strengthen the cooperation agreement, examine Japan’s water governance and licensing systems, and explore advanced infrastructure and disaster resilience models.
As South Africa advances the establishment of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency, the delegation will also engage with the Japan Water Agency to draw lessons from its institutional framework. Technical site visits will include integrated river basin and flood management systems, reinforcing the shared emphasis on resilience and long-term planning.
The department said the partnership presents mutual benefits, creating opportunities for innovation exchange while delivering tangible improvements in municipal capacity and operational performance in South Africa.
“Mahlobo’s working visit demonstrates government’s commitment to combining international best practice, strong bilateral partnerships and intensive skills development to address water challenges decisively.
“Through strengthened cooperation with Japan, South Africa is taking practical steps to improve service delivery, support municipalities and secure the nation’s water future,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
