H allo and welcome back to my column where we engage on organisational and external environmental matters that are so intrinsically linked to the mandate and work of Umgeni Water. Time has certainly been on a trot since we last interacted about a month ago, but it has been both an interesting and a challenging period. It is times like this that the resilience and expertise of Umgeni Water are put to the test, and the organisation emerges from it with flying colours to again illustrate its crucial importance to stakeholders. Before we move on to the business of the past month, I want to share with you some information about an intervention that aptly illustrates Umgeni Water’s strategic value and role in these impossibly difficult times of service delivery protests. Emergency intervention in Ugu District W ater supply failures had become a frequent occurrence in Southbroom, Ramsgate and Marburg as a result of breakages in the ageing asbestos pipelines that were used to supply potable water to these South Coast towns. Faced with time and financial constraints and mounting public pressure, the Ugu District Municipality appealed to me to fast-‐track the replacement of these pipelines through Umgeni Water’s intervention as implementing agent. I did not hesitate because, from a broader perspective, an emergency had occurred because a large number of consumers were being unnecessarily inconvenienced and the reputation of Ugu DM was being compromised. Asset management staff of Umgeni Water swung into action and the pipelines in question were replaced in record time. At a function in Gamalakhe on 12th September 2014, the completed projects were handed over to the Ugu DM leadership, amid praise for the co-‐operation and support Umgeni Water had provided to Ugu DM. Umgeni Water’s intervention represents a splendid example of what the organisation means when it says it is both customer-‐centric and customer-‐focused. The message that can be derived is that Umgeni Water does not operate in isolation, but that its 1 responsibilities and roles can extend beyond bulk water service provision, if its customers require and request assistance. This situation also provides pointers for you, as Ambassadors of Umgeni Water, to spread the word that where the need exists and where a request is within both reason and affordability, Umgeni Water would not hesitate to deploy its resources in order to stem a deteriorating situation that could potentially compromise public health. Drought conditions and their impact A s I began putting pen to paper in this blog – figuratively speaking – the first quarter of the Financial Year 2014 – 2015 came to an end in the face of a hive of activities. One of the key activities was driven by the absence of good spring rainfall and experts’ concerns over possible El Nino impacts, especially drought in the Province of KwaZulu-‐Natal and elsewhere. Falling dam levels, unusually high spring temperatures and below-‐average rainfall triggered an unprecedented communication campaign to illustrate the critical need for consumers to start using water sparingly. The campaign, conducted by Umgeni Water in conjunction with all of its customers, has print and electronic media messages warning of dire consequences if the rains do not occur soon and if consumers do not reduce water usage with immediate effect. Indeed, sections of KwaZulu-‐
Natal, including parts of the Umgeni Water service area, are already in a desperate situation. In the Middle South Coast, for example, the three dams there are at extremely low levels, which resemble a situation of crisis proportions. Initially, at the onset of raw water shortages, an appeal was made by Ugu District Municipality to its customers to begin using water conservatively. This did not work. Mandatory restrictions are now in place in the Middle South Coast and in Ballito, within the iLembe District. eThekwini Metro has been asked by Umgeni Water to apply level one restrictions (prohibition of use of hose pipes) to produce savings of 10%. A prolonged drought anywhere in the world can leave devastating effects in its wake, and recovery can take many years. The humanitarian devastation has been seen in the form of famine 2 and its accompanying consequences, such as malnutrition. The economic impact of an on-‐
going drought can also be profound as it has the potential to bring to a standstill production at companies that need and use large volumes of water. This will have the effect of threatening the jobs and livelihoods of workers. Fortunately the entire Province of KwaZulu-‐
Natal is not in a chronic drought situation yet, but it could get to that stage if the low-‐rainfall period extends well into 2015, in the midst of unrestricted and irresponsible use of water. It is important for Umgeni Water to stay abreast of the situation in order to prepare scenarios, from a business perspective, for a future that is unknown. In this regard, the organisation has commissioned a study into the possible economic impacts if the uMkomazi scheme is not built, and if a drought occurs simultaneously. The outcomes of this investigation will assist the organisation greatly in its planning for the future. Why municipalities need to get the basics right I now want to discuss matters of a sectorial nature. On 18th September 2014 the Minister of Co-‐operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan, convened a local government summit in Midrand, Gauteng. The purpose of the indaba was to develop an action plan for municipalities to get the basics right. If municipalities can achieve this, it will certainly strengthen their position in the delivery of services and, importantly, probably bring to a halt disgruntled communities’ protests and blockades of arterial roads. Better performing municipalities will undoubtedly also have a significant positive impact on Umgeni Water, which at times is hampered in the provision of infrastructure because of uncertainty by or indecisiveness of some customers. Compounding this situation is a view among some municipalities that they are capable of implementing bulk reticulation infrastructure on their own, although the expertise required for this is not resident within their environment. Umgeni Water has on numerous occasions extended an olive branch to some struggling municipalities without them reaching out to take it, perhaps because of fear Umgeni Water wants to take over some of their functions. This is not the organisation’s intention and it is clearly illustrated by the Water Services Act which distinguishes the roles of Water Services Authorities and Water Services Providers. The reality is that Umgeni Water and municipalities are linked through a common mandate: to ensure that users have unrestricted access to sufficient and safe drinking water. Therefore, we are, or ought to be, formidable partners in service and product delivery and we need to continue collaborating. I have often said, and continue to reiterate it, that insofar as infrastructure planning and development are concerned, Umgeni Water does an excellent job at this. 3 Therefore, the appropriate strategy to adopt would be for Umgeni Water to be given the mandate to develop and manage bulk infrastructure for and on behalf of Water Services Authorities. I am convinced that if this happens, many challenges that are currently occurring will disappear and a huge difference will be seen in product supply and quality. It remains my view that a good start to fixing the basics would be the delegation of responsibility to water boards for the development, operation and management of all bulk infrastructure. Listening to community concerns and complaints Among the senior Cabinet members who were present was the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane. The Office of Chief Executive was asked by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the KwaZulu-‐Natal Regional Office of the Department of Water and Sanitation to provide logistical support in arranging the Minister’s visit to Imbali and Vulindlela. On 26th September 2014 the Office of the CE and Operations Managers attended a Ministry of Water and Sanitation briefing session for the Deputy Mayor of Msunduzi Local Municipality. I n a similar vein and in an effort to test the level of satisfaction of the populace to service provision, the Presidency convened an imbizo on 30th September 2014 at the University of Technology (Ndumiso campus) in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg. The imbizo was part of President Jacob Zuma’s community outreach initiatives and it was attended by about 10 000 people. At this briefing session the roles of the Msunduzi Local Municipality and Umgeni Water in the 30th September 2014 Presidential and Ministerial visit to Imbali were spelled out. As an outcome of this meeting, the Office of the CE facilitated for two Umgeni Water artisans to join the Minister on her visit to homes and to also assist Msunduzi LM operations staff repair damaged water pipes and taps during the Presidential and Ministerial visit. Another aspect of Umgeni Water’s involvement was its participation in an exhibition at the imbizo where it shared space with the Department of Water and Sanitation. Part of the exhibition 4 space was used to brand Umgeni Water’s 40th anniversary and to also create awareness of the organisation’s mandate and core functions. During a briefing for the Minister of Water and Sanitation on the morning of the imbizo, residents complained about poor service provision, including water supply by the Water Services Authority. This resulted in the Minister instructing municipal and Department of Water and Sanitation staff to fix a broken pipe that had caused supply interruptions to some homes. The Vulindlela reticulation scheme – until July 2013 managed by Umgeni Water – was also discussed at the briefing for the Minister. In this regard, I put into context Umgeni Water’s involvement with the scheme when I said it had been managed and operated for 17 years by Umgeni Water before it was handed back to the Msunduzi Local Municipality in July 2013. Management and operation of the scheme is the responsibility of the municipality. The community of uMgungundlovu District and surrounding areas presented various challenges, particularly with regards to service delivery, infrastructure development, high level of crime, poor social services, unemployment and substance abuse. In his response, President Zuma assured the community that the national Government was working with provincial and local governments to address all the challenges facing communities. He said he would ensure that he received progress reports on addressing these challenges as the Government regarded the issues that were raised in a serious light. I am glad that Umgeni Water was part of this important gathering because it also presented an opportunity for representatives of the organisation to interact with the Minister of Water and Sanitation in order to clear the air on the Vulindlela reticulation scheme. Ambiguity or confusion over who is responsible for providing water to the people of Vulindlela only leads to a situation in which community expectations would be directed at the wrong party. Putting Umgeni Water in the international arena N ow for matters global. Umgeni Water had a presence at World Water Week, which was observed from 31st August 2014 to 5th September 2014 in Stockholm, Sweden. World Water Week is one of the most prestigious international events that attracts the crème del la crème of water institutions and business leaders from 200 organisations in 130 countries. This forum allows participants to network, share thinking and strategies of organisations they represent and also brainstorm solutions to problems and challenges they face with water service provision in their countries. The presence of Umgeni Water representatives at World Water Week 2014 provided an opportunity for Umgeni Water to continue its 5 endeavours to position itself in the world arena through partnerships and collaboration with like-‐minded organisations. Participation in World Water Week 2014 also allowed Umgeni Water to support the Department of Water and Sanitation’s report back on the good progress that has been made with reducing water and sanitation backlogs in South Africa, and to also give impetus to Africa’s efforts to place its water, sanitation and sustainable livelihoods agenda on the global stage. I’d now like to share some information with you about the events and activities that will take place in the weeks ahead. Presentation of Annual Performance: 2013 -‐ 2014 T he Board and the Executive will be embarking on road shows to present Umgeni Water’s performance in Financial Year 2013 – 2014 to an array of stakeholders. The road shows will begin with a media briefing on the morning of 22nd October 2014 in Durban, followed by an afternoon presentation on the same day to customers, the Executive Authority and investors. From 28th October – 31st October 2014 similar briefings will be held for financial institutions in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The key thrust of the presentations will be to illustrate Umgeni Water’s strong financial position, its sound performance in product quality and quantity and its contribution to enhancing assurance and extension of water supply, among other aspects of its business. Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) 2014 Conference and Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) 2016 Conference IMESA: The Office of the Chief Executive has successfully negotiated to become one of sponsors of the IMESA Conference, which will take place from 28th-‐ 31st October 2014 at the International Conference Centre in Durban. The Office of CE will also be exhibiting at this conference, along with major South African corporates and public sector organisations involved in engineering and with infrastructure provision. The main theme for this year’s conference is “Balancing Service Delivery” and one of the five sub-‐themes is “Water and Sanitation”. WISA 2016: The Office of the Chief Executive has been approached by WISA to become the main sponsor of the WISA 2016 Conference and Exhibition Gala Dinner. The WISA Conference and Exhibition will take place from 15th – 19th May 2016 at the International Conference Centre in Durban. The convening of the WISA Conference and Exhibition in Durban presents a splendid opportunity for Umgeni Water to increase its involvement with WISA through its sponsorship of the Gala Dinner, which is generally attended by high-‐profile representatives of Government and other stakeholders. Among others, the trade-‐off for Umgeni Water’s sponsorship of the Gala Dinner is exclusive branding rights at the dinner and a 5-‐minute address to dinner attendees. The 6 advertising that will be received by Umgeni Water will enhance awareness of the organisation and its core functions. Four decades of Umgeni Water F inally, the 40th Anniversary Committee is making good progress with the planning of th
40 Anniversary events. In this regard, I thought I’d share the following with you if you are not already aware: • A community function will be held on 28th November 2014 to celebrate the commissioning of the Mhlabatshane Bulk Water Supply Scheme • A function for staff and retirees will take place on 5th December 2014 at Hazelmere Dam. This function will include an awards and long-‐service certificate presentation to staff • A function for external stakeholders, members of the Board and Senior Management of Umgeni Water will be held on 20th February 2015 • A community function to celebrate the commissioning of the Greater Eston Bulk Water Supply Scheme and the Richmond Pipeline will be held on 23rd March 2015 • A fund-‐raising Golf Day for corporates, customers and other stakeholders of Umgeni Water is scheduled for April 2015 • A conference on water resource management, innovation and research and development will be hosted by Umgeni Water on 22nd May 2015, and • A public function to launch construction of the Greater Mpofana Bulk Water Supply Scheme will be held on 12th June 2015 Two presentations relating to progress were made to the Board, the first on 31st July 2014 and the other on 17th September 2014. Similarly, presentations on progress relating to the compilation of a book on Umgeni Water have been made to Exco and the Board. That’s all for now; until we engage again, keep the Umgeni Water flag flying high. Yours in Genuine Black Economic Empowerment and Equity Cyril Vuyani Gamede 7