Chairperson, hon Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and all other Ministers present, hon Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete and all Deputy Ministers present, Director-General Balzer and your bigger team Water and Sanitation, comrades, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, both here in E249 and those viewing these proceedings from your comfort zones, allow me from the onset - and on behalf of the ANC - to support this Budget Vote No 38 on Water Affairs. In supporting this Budget Vote, our message to you, Minister, Deputy Minister, your department and all the entities under your jurisdiction, is unambiguous: Continue the good work started by the previous ANC Minister and Deputy Minister. This is work that was started in 1994 to date, reflecting change for the better in the lives of ordinary people. To be precise, in the year 1994, fewer than 5 million black South African households had access to water. By 2012, this number had increased to 11,6 million. Since 1994, no fewer than 13 dams have been built.
Our Constitution must always be our constant reminder and daily conscience that, among other rights, access to clean water continues to be a right for all in South Africa.
Comrades, this Budget Vote debate takes place in the year that is moving South Africa forward through faster water and sanitation service delivery. Accounting Officer, we have no option but to give real meaning to this revolutionary theme.
At this juncture, allow me to pay our respects to all those who have lost their lives through water-related accidents. One death is too many. Every effort must be made to avoid such accidents in our country in the future. This calls for collaboration among various national departments and government in the other spheres.
Minister, we also meet as we apportion this budget in the year that your and my ANC Youth League will be turning 70. It is 70 years since its formation by visionaries like Madiba, Mda, Sisulu and Lambede, among others. During Mandela Month, let us pay homage to the father of our nation, our own ANC president, Rolihlahla Mandela, in whose month this debate falls. Our tribute in honouring the legacy of this giant of our century can only be a continuation of the work started by his movement, the ANC, at its inception: that of uniting African brothers and sisters and changing their lives for the better - nothing less.
Let us applaud President Zuma for his visionary leadership. He saw fit to bring Water and Sanitation together in one department. This move is aimed at synergising these two aspects as we address some of the fundamentals that relate to the dignity of our people.
Colleagues, compatriots and fellow South Africans, the election of 7 May 2014 gave the ANC another overwhelming mandate to further move South Africa forward. Thank you once again to the majority of South Africans for having chosen your movement, the ANC, to continue on its journey towards liberating all South Africans, black and white, oppressors and oppressed, rich and poor. Our people have always understood that our national democratic revolution is inherently radical and its focus has been and continues to be on socioeconomic and political liberation. Water and sanitation, in addition to rural development, health, the safety of our people, education and jobs remain a priority in the socioeconomic transformation of our country. This was the instruction by the 53rd conference of the ANC, which, among other resolutions, resolved that:
We must develop small dams, especially in rural areas, as part of water conservation; We must urgently provide every household with quality, clean water which in the short term may include portable purification tanks and water tanks for rainwater harvesting to promote food security.
This resolution mandates the ANC-led government to give meaning to and realise the goals which are so beautifully enshrined in the people's Freedom Charter.
Fellow South Africans, for the first time in our country, South Africa now has a vision, Vision 2030, under the able leadership and stewardship of President Zuma. Among other goals, our shared vision, through the National Development Plan, envisages a South Africa where every household shall have clean water by 2030.
Minister and team Water and Sanitation, with a committed team Water and Sanitation, this is indeed doable. Our oversight role shall be robust, seeking nothing less than measured progress based on annual achievements towards the 2030 target.