In a significant step towards collaborative water management, the City of Tshwane, in partnership with the Platform for a Water Secure Gauteng, hosted the Lekgotla la Metsi (Water Lekgotla) in Ga-Rankuwa, Region 1. The workshop convened a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, community leaders and residents, to deliberate on the pressing water crisis. The objective was to agree on a joint social pact to address water insecurity under the theme, Working towards water security in the region.
The lekgotla served as a crucial platform for open dialogue, with the primary objective of developing a shared understanding and a collective action plan to safeguard the city’s water future. The session was structured around several critical objectives aimed at creating a comprehensive response to water challenges. The City presented a clear picture of the current water demand and supply status in Tshwane, as well as its consumption patterns and targets in relation to its bulk water licence with Rand Water. A key focus was placed on explaining the issue of water losses, with a specific deep dive into the challenges and data for Region 1.
The MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Ald Aaron Maluleke, emphasised the importance of transparency, stating, “The lekgotla is a vital platform for open dialogue. We are committed to sharing the real status of our water supply and demand, particularly the critical challenge of water losses in Region 1. Understanding the problem is the first step to solving it, and we can only do this by working together with our communities.”
During the event, community leaders were shown the practical steps the City is taking to address water leaks and improve related services on the ground. Furthermore, the event provided a vital opportunity for community members to share their first-hand experiences, concerns and expectations regarding water service delivery, ensuring that their voices were central to the discussion.
A central outcome of the lekgotla was the detailed discussion on the roles and responsibilities of all municipal stakeholders – political leadership, internal City departments and the community – in tackling the current crisis. This dialogue is the foundation for a strong social pact, a joint commitment to work together. The expected outcomes of this pact include a shared community understanding of responsible water usage, the impact of water leaks and the detrimental effects of illegal connections. It also fosters an acknowledgement of the City’s role and efforts in addressing community challenges, leading to strong community support for the City’s plan in Region 1 and its joint implementation.
The lekgotla concluded with a firm agreement on the way forward, which combines technical and community-support interventions. These include ongoing education and awareness campaigns to promote water conservation and a reinforced commitment to the successful #ThibaDiLeaks programme. This campaign encourages residents to promptly report leaks and vandalism while enabling the City to act swiftly, representing a pledge from all parties to work hand in hand.
This lekgotla marks a pivotal moment for water security in Tshwane. By uniting the City with Tshwane communities, we are building a resilient, water-secure future for all residents of Region 1 and beyond.