Government’s exclusion of civil society shows it’s not serious about solving SA’s water crisis.
Credit: OUTA
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest Indaba (27–28 March 2025) brought together government officials, academics, the private sector, and media to discuss the country’s deepening water crisis.
But once again, civil society was not invited to the table. And once again, we are left asking: what has actually changed?
WaterCAN has repeatedly warned that these high-level water summits risk becoming talk shops—grand gatherings with glossy agendas but no meaningful outcomes. Last year’s Indaba made similar promises. Today, the public is still waiting for delivery.
“We cannot fix South Africa’s water crisis while continuing to make the same political mistakes. If civil society remains locked out, government is sabotaging its own solutions,” says Dr Ferrial Adam, WaterCAN’s Executive Manager.
From sewage spills in Kliprivier to the neglect of rural water systems and failing municipal infrastructure, the signs are clear: South Africa’s water system is on the brink. Yet those working on the frontlines—testing water, reporting leaks, cleaning rivers—are excluded from the very spaces meant to fix the crisis.
Same script, same actors, same results
South Africans don’t want more rhetoric about “public-private partnerships” or vague action plans. We want to see broken pumps fixed. Polluters prosecuted. Municipalities held to account.
“It’s like hosting a Gautrain conference without speaking to commuters or engineers,” says Dr Adam. “Civil society brings data, lived experience, and urgency. Excluding us is like trying to run a train system without tracks.”
This continued exclusion also raises questions about transparency. Who is setting the agenda? Who benefits when decisions are made behind closed doors? What’s really being done to stop water pollution, protect our catchment areas, and ensure accountability for failing infrastructure?
No more closed doors—South Africa needs all hands on deck
If the government is serious about tackling the water crisis, it must stop gatekeeping and start collaborating. We need all sectors—public, private, academic, and civic—working together, not in silos.
“Real progress comes when people on the ground are heard, not ignored. We don’t need another Indaba. We need action—and accountability,” says Dr Adam.
WaterCAN is calling for urgent reform in how water governance decisions are made and who gets to make them. We will continue to push for inclusion, accountability, and justice—because clean, safe water is not a luxury. It’s a constitutional right.
More information
A soundbite with comment by Dr Ferrial Adam, WaterCAN Executive Manager, is here.
About WaterCAN
WaterCAN is a dedicated environmental organisation committed to preserving and protecting South Africa’s water resources. With a mission to promote responsible water management and raise awareness about water quality, the organisation empowers communities to become proactive stewards of their local water sources. If you would like to support our work, kindly Donate Here.
