Hon Chairperson, the aim of the Department of Water Affairs, which is spelt out in, among other things, the budget summary, is to ensure the availability and supply of water at the national level, facilitate equitable and sustainable socioeconomic development, and ensure the universal and efficient supply of water services at the local level and especially in the rural areas. The majority of urban municipalities have reasonable levels of water supply.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of rural municipalities. The IFP believes that the enlightened way of dealing with the problem of water shortage is for the national government to limit its role to that of co- ordinating the planning of the collection of water through the building of dams and canals, and tapping river systems in neighbouring countries which have spare capacity. Bureaucratic controls over water should be reduced in order to save money.
The management of water resources and the allocation of water, including the sale of water, should be entrusted to the provinces. Provincial administrations should manage all aspects of water provision, except those involving major capital projects, as well as the integration of water systems and international negotiations on the supply of water from foreign countries. The value of water should be recognised between provinces through the payment of royalties. The day-to-day control of water resources in their areas of jurisdiction should be entrusted to traditional agencies, that is municipalities, irrigation committees and, in the tribal areas, the amakhosi [chiefs]. [Interjections.] Ehhe! [Yes!] [Applause.] Given the less than positive state of water security in South Africa, it is our firm belief that, as the country, we should do everything in our power to ensure that every threat to water security is dealt with decisively. The IFP is, therefore, extremely concerned about the associated environmental impact of Shell SA's plan to commence with the exploration of shale gas in the Karoo. In addition, South Africa is in the middle of an international bidding process to host the Square Kilometre Array site, which bid will be unduly hampered and perhaps lost if Shell SA's proposed Karoo gas project goes ahead.
Against a global rainfall average of 870 millimetres per year, South Africa receives a pitiful 450 millimetres, making it the world's 30th driest country. This, together with what happened recently in the rural town of Beaufort West, means that greater emphasis must be placed on water recycling systems for rural communities throughout South Africa.
In conclusion, we are also concerned about the skills shortage within water services at all levels of government. I have noticed that the department intends to deploy engineers to municipalities. I must honestly express my doubts as to when this will become a reality, given the national department's own inability to retain qualified personnel. [Interjections.]
Cha, ngiyakhuluma, ngikhuluma noNgqongqoshe. Ngiyabonga. [No, I am on the floor, I am addressing the Minister. Thank you.]
The IFP supports the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]