Parliament - South Africa will not run out of water in the next 100 years, Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa assured MPs on Tuesday.
Opening debate on her 2013/14 budget in the National Assembly, Molewa dismissed what she referred to as “the current myth” about the country running dry.
“You must have heard, from one source or another, how South Africa will 'run out of water' in 2013, 2015, 2025, or 2030, depending on which news source you rely on.
“Let me assure you, as the custodian of water resources in this country, that as we enter the third decade of equity and redistribution, South Africa will not run out of water in the next 100 years.”
She said this did not mean there would be no problems “regarding water resources' availability”.
However, her department was confident that as a result of its planning, future programmes, and the development and management of infrastructure, it was “geared towards sustainability and a secured future in terms of security of [water] supply”.
Earlier, briefing reporters at Parliament, Molewa said: “We might have water shortages if we don't do certain things, but running out of water completely is a no-no.”
Sapa