19 May 2026

The African National Congress (ANC) Study Group on Water and Sanitation warmly welcomes and appreciates the timely assent by President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa to the *South African Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Amendment Act No. 6 of 2026.*

Following its official publication in the Government Gazette on 14 May 2026, this milestone marks a decisive step forward in the democratic movement’s commitment to transforming South Africa’s water landscape.

The establishment of the South African Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (SAWRIA) SOC Limited is a progressive intervention that will fundamentally reshape the management, funding, and development of our national water infrastructure. By consolidating and streamlining our infrastructure assets, SAWRIA is uniquely positioned to leverage innovative funding models, build state-of-the-art bulk water systems, and guarantee long-term water security for both rapidly growing urban centers and historically underserved rural communities and guarantees access to South Aftica’s natural resources, including water.

Furthermore, the ANC Study Group emphasizes that this goal heavily emphasizes that economic growth and job creation are entirely dependent on robust public infrastructure—including water, electricity, and transport systems—to lower the cost of doing business and support domestic industries.

The realization of SAWRIA perfectly fuses this imperative with Priority One of the ANC 2024 Manifesto, which focuses on Jobs for All and Inclusive Growth. By mobilizing massive investments into bulk water assets, the ANC is actively transforming the state’s capacity to build a labour-absorbing economy, stimulate localized industrialization, and rapidly generate sustainable employment opportunities for our people. In particular, the youth.

The Study Group commends the Department of Water and Sanitation, parliamentary stakeholders, and the executive for their diligent work in realizing this legislative milestone. We stand ready to exercise rigorous oversight to ensure that SAWRIA swiftly translates this legislative mandate into tangible, high-quality water infrastructure delivery for our people.

Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Water and Sanitation, Cde Sello Dithebe

For enquiries:

Cde Sello Dithebe

Whip of ANC Study Group on Water and Sanitation

Contact:0834405446

Email: sdithebe@parliament.gov.za

Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe

Media Liaison Officer

0641473276