Minister Majodina: Critical Statements at South Africa Water Conference

The WISA 2026 Water Conference and Exhibition, held in Cape Town, the legislative capital of the Republic of South Africa, brought together experts and industry representatives from around the world. The event, organized by the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from July 22-24, is being held under the theme "Rethinking Water: Securing Our Future."

According to information obtained from organization officials, more than 2,000 delegates, including scientists, engineers, researchers, public officials, municipal representatives, development organizations, and private sector employees, are attending the conference. At the exhibition held within the scope of the event, approximately 140 local and international organizations are showcasing their technologies and services for water treatment, infrastructure management, smart monitoring systems, detection of losses and leaks, and water reuse.

More than 150 academic and technical presentations are being delivered at the conference on topics such as water infrastructure renewal, climate change adaptation, water resource protection, financing of water services, AI-powered management systems, and corporate governance.

South African Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, stated in her speech at the conference that the country's water supply problems do not stem solely from aging infrastructure, but that deficiencies in management and governance also play a significant role.

Majodina pointed to the disruptions in delivering water resources to consumers, stating, "We have sufficient raw water resources in South Africa. The real problem lies in the distribution of water through networks and deficiencies in governance."

Stating that institutional reforms are needed to ensure long-term water security, Majodina called for leveraging technological innovations and strengthening cooperation among the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society.

The WISA 2026 Water Conference and Exhibition will conclude tomorrow after the scheduled sessions.