South Africa established its Working for Water Programme in 1995 under the leadership of Professor Kader Asmal, then Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry. The Programme has multiple objectives of reducing the impact of invasive alien plants on South Africa’s water supplies, improving productive potential of land, and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems function as well as creating jobs and economic empowerment. To date, the Programme has cleared 1.96 million hectares of invasive alien plants and creates some 30,000 employment opportunities per annum.
Despite the obvious benefits of this programme to water security in South Africa and hence private sector interests, this programme has been funded almost entirely from government’s poverty relief and public works expenditure, with almost negligible private sector investment.
Should we tackle this challenge? I do not believe that we have a choice. To take on a challenge of this magnitude will require a joint commitment by government, the private sector, labour and communities – and particularly the land-owners. We have made an exceptionally auspicious start. As I have said before, and now say with renewed urgency. Phambili! Forward!
Professor Kader Asmal, 1998, writing about the Working for Water Programme.
Despite the obvious benefits of this programme to water security in South Africa and hence private sector interests, this programme has been funded almost entirely from government’s poverty relief and public works expenditure, with almost negligible private sector investment.
Should we tackle this challenge? I do not believe that we have a choice. To take on a challenge of this magnitude will require a joint commitment by government, the private sector, labour and communities – and particularly the land-owners. We have made an exceptionally auspicious start. As I have said before, and now say with renewed urgency. Phambili! Forward!
Professor Kader Asmal, 1998, writing about the Working for Water Programme.