Escalating South Africa’s (SA) water crisis to a national disaster is expected to be amongst one of the key highlights of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In an election year, the inability of many municipalities to adequately provide water to their communities will likely feature high amongst the considerations of the electorate.
Interventions such as the review of the white paper on local government, including re-looking the funding model of local authorities, as well as ensuring that infrastructure meant to provide essential services are well maintained.
Ring fencing of water, electricity and fixing infrastructure in local government were one of the key priority areas of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SONA speech last year.
Interventions that will be announced by Ramaphosa on Thursday are aimed at resuscitating the country’s ailing local authorities, with a cash injection to these, expected to be announced during the tabling of the 2026 budget later this month.
–SABC–
