Hon Deputy Speaker, nothing represents our interconnectedness on this planet more than water. It is essential for the existence of all life forms, and as humans we are absolutely dependent on it, both for our survival and for almost all of our economic activities.
Unfortunately, we have not shown water issues the priority they deserve in South Africa. We have allowed our bulk water infrastructure to degrade at a time when water demand has been increasing in our country. It is now estimated that an urgent investment of over R100 billion is needed to bring our entire bulk water infrastructure up to scratch. In addition to this underinvestment, government has also not taken enough swift action against those who have polluted our water resources, which supply our bulk water needs.
The most vivid and shocking representation of this is the Grootvlei Mine, owned by Aurora Empowerment Systems, where millions of litres of untreated acid mine water has been pumped daily into the surrounding wetland. There are also numerous mines around the country that are operating illegally without the requisite water licences. The ID believes that we now need to show true political will in stopping such practices and showing a commitment in addressing our water needs, which are only going to get worse as a result of climate change.
We can, in fact, turn acid mine water into potable water to augment our water supply, but it starts with the government facing up to this problem and taking a decisive stance as opposed to simply dismissing the arguments of those who are alerting them to this impending crisis. It doesn't matter whether we call it a challenge or a crisis, if we don't show our water issues the urgency they deserve we will all face serious repercussions in the near future. I thank you. [Applause.]