EDITORIAL | Minister Mchunu’s hollow promises don’t hold water
Access to clean water is a basic human right, so why do millions of South Africans still not have it?
Water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu used World Water Day on Tuesday to tell South Africans how serious the government is about creating affordable and reliable access to clean water. His words will mean nothing to the more than 5.5-million SA households that do not have access to drinking water. The SA Human Rights Commission’s Andre Gaum in the Sunday Times (https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2022-03-20-the-big-five-of-human-rights-problems-in-sa/) at the weekend reminded us that access to water is one of our five basic human rights “challenges”. At the heart of it, he said, is “poor infrastructure and the maintenance thereof” — a simple service delivery function. If only it were as simple as it seems...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.