Chairperson, hon members, the UN has declared 17 October to be the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
In 1995, at the World Summit in Copenhagen, South Africa joined the nations of the world and pledged to eradicate poverty. Since the dawn of our democracy, South Africa has emerged from hatred and bitter separation to a new democracy of reconstruction, reconciliation and development.
Poverty is the denial of opportunities and choices most basic to human development to lead a long, healthy, creative life and enjoy a decent standard of living, freedom, dignity, self-esteem and respect from other people.
Poverty is one of the greatest political, social and economic challenges of the 21st century that is facing the world at large. The most affected are the millions of women and children living in rural areas.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty focuses on poverty and the monitoring of the policies and programmes to tackle it. The government, led by the ANC, has implemented policies and programmes, such as the municipal infrastructure grant, the Working for Water programme, the free basic services, etc, to address the problems facing South Africa.
Whilst the 2005 state of the nation address highlighted targets to attain water and sanitation provision, the President, in his 2006 state of the nation address, located the issues within the intentions of Asgisa. The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa identifies and implements a set of policy initiatives that will improve South African growth prospects. The President highlighted the following strategic objectives in his address that are relevant to Water Affairs: the public- private partnership capacity of local government and the eradication of the bucket system.
As regards the impact on Water Affairs, we all know that as from the 2005- 06 financial year, the capacity funds for the basic service have been allocated directly to municipalities under the municipal infrastructure grant. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry will be responsible for ensuring compliance and ensuring that municipalities maintain their focus on ending sanitation backlogs.
As regards access to clean water, in 1994, 15,9 million people out of a population of 39,8 million did not have access to basic water supply. Currently, 3,3 million people out of a population of 48,6 million have no access to a basic level of water supply.
The free basic water programme is making a huge difference to the poor, who are defined as households with an income of less than R800 per month. Currently, 1 million people are receiving the free basic service via normal infrastructure, while 80% of the population with access to water infrastructure enjoy access to free basic water, which relates to 75% of the South African population and represents a 5% increase.
Mangikusho ukuthi amanzi abaluleke kakhulu. Yingakho kufanele ukuthi wonke umuntu abe namanzi ukuze akwazi ukuphila, futhi yingakho-ke siye sithi: Water is life. Nabahlala emaphandleni kufanele ukuthi bagcine bewatholile amanzi ukuze babone izimpilo ziba ngcono. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.) [Let me also say that water is very important. It is for this very reason that all people should have water to live. That is why we say water is life. Even those who live in rural areas should get water, too, so that their lives can be better.]
The core business of the Working for Water programme is to contribute to the sustainable prevention and control of invasive alien plants. In doing so, it addresses poverty relief, and promotes economic empowerment and transformation within the public works framework.
Since the inception of the Working for Water programme in 1999, it has cleared more than 1 million hectares of invasive alien plants, providing jobs and training to approximately 25 016 people per annum from the marginalised sector of society, of which 52% are women.
Working for Water is currently running 303 projects in all nine provinces of South Africa. Short-term contract jobs were created through clearing activities and with an emphasis on recruiting 60% women, 20% youth, and 5% people with disabilities.
Regarding the eradication of the bucket system, out of a population of 48,6 million people, there are currently 15,3 million people with no access to sanitation. Since 1994, access to sanitation infrastructure in the sector has improved from 49% to 69% of the population. By 2007, the bucket system will be eliminated in all formal settlements in the country. There are 230 000 bucket toilets that need to be replaced with adequate sanitation.
I am happy to announce once more that the Mpumalanga Department of Local Government and Housing has completed the eradication of the bucket system in all its formal areas throughout the province.
The programme has also created more than 5 000 part-time jobs for the poor. The government is continuing to promote the eradication of the bucket system to replace it with dignified and appropriate types of sanitation services.
In conclusion, as people are stripped of their material and other possessions, part of their soul is lost in the process, leading many poor communities to sink further into poverty, characterised by crime, illiteracy, unemployment, diseases and often violence. That is why it is important for the ANC government to ensure that the masses of the people are well taken care of, in order to create a better life for all. Water is life and sanitation is dignity. Let us work together in order to eradicate poverty. I thank you. [Applause.]