Judith Nzimande, the president of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) led a high powered delegation of Zululand corporates to the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, requesting his
unwavering support for urgent drought intervention measures.

The delegation met with Premier Senzo Mchunu and his team in Durban at the end of March. The dire consequences of the drought, said to be the worst in the last 100 years, were described to the Premier, while the stark reality that the corporates in Richards Bay will close their doors if there is no water available was emphasised.

"This will affect the community at large, the Zululand area and the economy. It will lead to massive job losses and socio economic collapse," said Mrs Nzimande.

This meeting follows last month's Disaster Management Forum meeting where a business delegation and representatives of the Drought Crisis Committee presented the extent of the drought and the fact that Goedertrouw Dam will be empty by September if urgent interventions are not taken.

Mrs Nzimande contacted various role players, bringing the matter to the attention of National Government, officials of the Department of Water and Sanitation Services and the provincial leadership.

In response, Premier Senzo Mchunu called for a meeting to be briefed on the proposed pipeline changes to double the water augmentation from the Tugela River to Goedertrouw Dam.

The Zululand delegation consisted of Judith Nzimande, representatives from the ZCCI and the CEOs of RBM, Mondi, Mhlathuze Water, RBIDZ, South32 and the uMhlathuze Municipality.

There were also representatives of the Department of Water and Sanitation Services, officials from the Premier's Office, the Department of Economic Affairs as well as representatives of Standard Bank, Ithala and the KZN Growth Coalition.

The discussions centred on immediate action, possible funding options and long term alternatives. The pipeline, providing immediate relief is going to cost an estimated R270 million, while the long term solution, an off-channel dam on the Umfolozi River will cost approximately R1,6 billion.

The Premier expressed his support and emphasised the urgency of getting all the building blocks into place to facilitate the project.

"The President of the Republic Jacob Zuma has convened a special Imbizo this weekend scheduled to
take place in Melmoth to discuss government's intervention. We appreciate the intervention of national government and the fact that national ministers including the Minister of Water and Sanitation Services, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane will be part of this Imbizo. This is a demonstration of strong leadership and decisiveness," Premier Mchunu pointed out.

Mrs Nzimande thanked the Premier for his prompt response and his willingness to intervene in this water disaster affecting the Zululand area.

"There is a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we have to ensure that extra water is pumped into Goedertrouw, not only for the benefit of industry, but also for every resident in the area," said Mrs
Nzimande after the meeting.

"She appealed to the Zululand community to stand united for the success of ensuring a long term water solution for the area. Every South African should be looking at ways to ensure there is water for future generations to come."

Judith Nzimande,
The president of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI)
http://zcci.org.za/