The Department of Water and Sanitation has reaffirmed that access to sufficient, safe and reliable water is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for advancing dignity, gender equality and social justice.
The department’s remarks come as South Africa marks National Water Month in March, which coincides with Human Rights Month and International Women's Day on 8 March.
The alignment of these commemorations, the department said, reinforces a rights-based approach to addressing the country’s water challenges and underscores government’s constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to water for all.
“In communities without safe drinking water, inequalities disproportionately affect women and girls,” the department noted.
South Africa is currently facing water supply challenges in several regions due to systemic issues, including inadequate planning and investment, years of infrastructure neglect, rising water demand driven by economic and population growth, urbanisation and unsustainable practices. Pollution has further reduced the availability of usable water.
In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared water supply challenges a national crisis. During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2026, the President announced a comprehensive national intervention, drawing on the successful multi-agency model applied to stabilise the energy sector.
“To centralise and accelerate recovery, government has established the National Water Crisis Committee, chaired by the President. This body will coordinate all state efforts to address the water crisis, drive the required reforms in the water sector, and deploy national resources and technical experts to struggling municipalities,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
