Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi is looking forward to intensifying the campaign to preserve water and protect the environment during her tenure.
"People need to be made aware that one drop of oil can make up to 25 litres of water undrinkable," she said, adding that South Africans need to take care of this precious resource.
Ms Mabudafhasi took her oath of affirmation in front of Chief Justice Pius Langa on Monday, officially becoming a member of Cabinet and Deputy Minister.
She said it was up to all South Africans, farms and communities to preserve water and take better care of the environment to reduce the effects of climate change.
"Government regards climate change as one of the greatest threats to our planet as well as to its people.
"Climate change has the potential to undo or undermine many of the positive advances made in meeting the country's own development goals and the Millennium Development Goals," she told BuaNews.
Ms Mabudafhasi urged young South Africans to pursue careers in environmental and related fields.
