Preserve South Africa’s drinking water

27 June 2023

Imagine a country where water shedding becomes the norm due to persistent water shortages.

A shortage of drinking water is South Africa’s next biggest threat if action is not taken.

“We have no time to waste. South Africa is a water-scarce country. Earlier this month the Department of Health confirmed that cholera-related deaths has risen to 31. Cholera, a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water, was picked up in five provinces.

“The writing is on the wall after Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, released the Blue Drop Watch Report which focuses on the current condition of drinking. The reports paints a grim picture of the quality of our drinking water and identified the collapse of the country’s wastewater treatment works,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations.

MISA represents more than 59 000 members in the retail motor industry.

“MISA is committed to a green transition of all the industries in South Africa that leaves no one behind. The Union is committed to continuous learning and empowers its members with benefits to educate themselves to minimise the impact of employees affected by the move to green energy.

“MISA’s Young Workers’ Forum also empowers our youth hosting career expo’s to introduce them to the possibilities in the retail motor industry and arranging job shadowing opportunities for them.

“Though the work of the Union’s Women’s Forum we are addressing hunger, poverty, inequality and helping the most vulnerable in our societies nationwide. But all of this work will be worthless if we don’t have access to clean water,” warns Keyter.

She recently attended the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILO).

According to Keyter it is clear that climate change is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest, and contributing to food insecurity and stress on water resources.

Increasing temperatures and sea levels, changing precipitation patterns and increasingly extreme weather patterns are threatening health and safety, food and water security and socio-economic development in Africa.

“In South Africa persistent water shortages is the result of the systemic collapse of the water supply services due to neglect, lack of maintenance and corruption. The Blue Drop Watch Report shows dysfunctional local municipalities and non-compliant wastewater treatment,” says Keyter.

Issued on behalf of MISA by Sonja Carstens, Media, Liaison and Communication Specialist.

For MISA Press Releases, phone Carstens on 082 463 6806 or email Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za

#MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY