Hon House Chair, allow me to say, "Together we move South Africa forward." On behalf of the ANC, I wish to approach this debate by reflecting on Programme 6, which deals with international water co- operation, as one of the critical priorities expressed in the National Development Plan - do you agree with me now? [Interjections.]
I hasten to mention that international water co-operation is about international and transborder watercourse management. It outlines how, as a country, we ensure that integrated water resource management is implemented. This implementation seeks to ensure that there is conformity on water protocols and agreements, as prescribed by the legislation that governs water resources in South Africa.
Members of this august House will recall that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a series of resolutions such as the observance of World Day for Water in 2000; the proclamation of 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater; and resolution 58/217 of December 2003, which culminated in proclaiming the International Decade for Action, commonly known as Water for Life, for the period 2005 to 2015. In 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution that proclaimed 2013 the International Year of Water Co-operation. The motive behind this was to highlight the need for water awareness and the conservation of water. It was like a project for the year 2013, a period during which people would be able to work together to address water management across the entire globe - to work together, not to oppose one another.
Following this international directive, and in aligning our actions with the requirements for international water co-operation, the South African government concluded a progressive agreement with Lesotho, as a way of maintaining a transboundary water transfer scheme. This agreement plays a critical role in supplying water resources to South Africa. In addition, South Africa has had a number of bilateral and multilateral protocols with neighbouring countries in an effort to respond to the need to use, conserve and maintain water availability as stipulated by legislation.
For South Africa to manage being a capable state, water sector programmes should be formalised in order to recruit the best crop of candidates who are being trained for public service and who have the requisite skills in water management techniques. Adequate funding will enable government to attract professional staff through the department's learning academy and mentorship programmes, which will help mitigate the impending water crisis, as per predictions. The injection of adequate funds will make this a simple exercise as a way of responding to making the International Decade for Action a reality. It is also in this context that Budget Vote 38 responds to the funding necessary for attending regional and international summits aimed at strengthening international water co-operation.
This august House will note that South Africa is a semi-arid country with low average rainfall reception, compared to Lesotho. Lesotho's average rainfall reception is double that of South Africa. Through this water transfer scheme, our country used approximately 780 million m3. This was transferred to Gauteng over 70 km, via Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Projects in 2012. Would you say that that was a good story to tell, hon Basson?
The ANC-led government is on course in responding to resolutions that are aligned with international water co-operation through the National Water Resources Strategy 2, NWRS, 2. This is an approach driven by the vision of having sustainable, equitable and secure water for a better life and environment for all. In this respect the NWRS 2 ensures that national water resources are managed towards achieving South Africa's growth, development and socioeconomic priorities over the next nine years.
In other words, the ANC-led government is guided by the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, and conforms with the call for international water co- operation. Among other measures, the response includes co-ordinated efforts to provide a framework within which water will be managed at regional or catchment level, all defined in water management areas.
This is just one example of the areas of focus expressed in the NWRS 2. I assure all the members of the House that the ANC is positioned well to achieve this because it is guided by its 2014 ANC election manifesto, which makes provision for our commitment to multilateral relations and co- operation. This is yet another face of the ever-working ANC in action, led by razor-sharp brains.
We will continue to be part of international efforts to build a better life for all. Building a better world and a better Africa has always been a critical building block of our commitment to add value for the people of South Africa and the rest of the globe. The ANC will never be ashamed of the tremendous and overwhelming success that has been its glorious landmark in this regard.
Guided and greatly enthused by the provisions of the international agreement on water co-operation, we can pronounce with confidence that we are moving towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 8, which is to develop a global partnership for development. In more specific terms, it is a means to achieving Target 7A of Goal 7. The target in this goal requires that countries should integrate the principles of sustainable development into a country's policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources - water, in this respect. Most importantly, target 7B of Goal 7 makes provision for the reduction of loss of the proportion of total water resources used. Our department also stands on a very good platform to make pronouncements on making good progress on achieving Goal 8 - you heard this when a presentation was made in the portfolio committee.
As indicated earlier, our approach to the protection and use of water resources plays a critical role in development and industrialisation. Water is important for development, and the fact that we have measures in place to adhere to international resolutions is an indication that reliably affords the country the status of signatory to multilateral co-operation agreements.
As the ANC, we have an extremely good narrative for the people of South Africa and the rest of the world. We have managed to provide pure and clean water to households in South Africa. By way of illustration, by 2012 a total of 11,8 million households had access to clean water. If this was not a good narrative to the enemies of transformation, then ... [Interjections] ... we would have everything. We need to take them on board slowly by showing them that we mean business.
Massive dams have been built for the provision of water to communities. Who can dispute the fact that water is also good for food security? It is in this context and in the spirit of the ANC's resolute pledge that all efforts and funding will be geared towards improving the lives of the people. Provision of water and sanitation are but an indication that our commitment to realise Vision 2030 of the NDP always remains the driving force in our pursuit to carry out the mandate given to us by over 60% of the electorate.
It should also be noted that, as per the ANC's initiative in the NDP, we will continue to make provision for the conservation of water a prerequisite. Accordingly, this will be achievable, based on current planning, which indicates that water supply and sanitation services ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]