DWS kicks-off Water and Sanitation Development Programme for Limpopo councillors

Limpopo

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Limpopo, partnered with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) have kick-started a Councillors Induction and Development Programme on water and sanitation across all the five districts in the province.

The programme, which is aiming to improve water provision to drought stricken communities across the province, started on 6 September 2023 and will last until 16 November 2023.

According to DWS Spokesperson, Wisani Mavasa, the programme is expected to assist municipal councillors understand their leadership roles and guide them to make informed decisions on water and sanitation business within their municipalities.

“The initiative comes after government identified the need for councillors to have the knowledge to successfully fulfil their responsibilities. The programme will run for two days in each district, with the first day being an in-house training whereas on the second day the councillors will conduct a site visit at an identified wastewater treatment works in their area,” explained Mavasa.

He said some topical issues to be covered during the workshop include financial planning and management, infrastructure development, sanitation services, institutional arrangements for services provision and regulations.

“Councillors will also be taken through the legislative framework on water and sanitation, where there will be a focus on policies and bylaws impacting the water and sanitation business and services provision,” he said.