Ramaphosa says government is coordinating response to water crisis
President Cyril Ramaphosa said a national water crisis committee is working to improve supply and repair ageing infrastructure. He spoke on the sidelines of an ANC election campaign event in Diepkloof, Soweto, as several provinces face shortages.
Ramaphosa said many initiatives are underway and that, overall, the water challenge is being addressed. Several provinces and major municipalities face water shortages, low pressure or contamination.
He said the committee deals with bulk water availability and with reticulation of water. In his words: "now having set up that water crisis committee a lot of initiatives are underway both with dealing with bulk water availability as well as reticulation of water".
Key facts
- Who
- Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); African National Congress (Campaigning party in local government election campaign)
- What
- Ramaphosa said a national water crisis committee is working to improve water supply and repair ageing infrastructure, as several provinces and major municipalities face water shortages, low pressure or contamination.
- When
- 26 October 2026
- Where
- South Africa, Diepkloof, Soweto
- Status
- Reported