Newcastle Municipality will take part in the National Water Week program starting from the 15th of March to the 18th of March under the theme “Water is Life – 20 Years of Water Delivery for Social and Economic Development. Water is a scarce resource and therefore we need constructive and innovative ideas to manage and conserve it.

The National Water Week is an awareness campaign by the Department of Water Affairs. It serves as a powerful campaign mechanism re-iterating the value of water, the need for sustainable management of this scarce resource and the role water plays in eradicating poverty and under-development in South Africa.

The theme coincides with South Africa’s celebrations of 20 years of freedom and democracy. This momentous occasion presents an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on how freedom and democracy was achieved; the progress made in the past 20 years and how South Africans will work together to implement Vision 2030

The essential aim of the National Water Week Campaign is to fulfil the implementation plan in that it has been identified as one of the 20 areas that need to be addressed.  The ultimate goal will be to promote the efficient use of water to consumers and customers on one hand and to ensure minimal water wastage from the source to the end user. The department will use the water week as a vehicle to communicate and propel awareness campaign on drought.

A culture of water conservation awareness needs to be continually created in the Newcastle Local Municipal area.  One important method of creating such a culture is to create an awareness of the facts and the ways in which the users and the general population can contribute towards remedying the water wastage that is taking place.  Each individual needs to understand their role, responsibilities, and obligation in the water provision cycle as well as the detrimental effects of them not playing a positive part in the cycle.

Newcastle wants to inform the community about saving water and how to report visible pipe leaks and making sure people do understand that water is indeed a scarce resource in our country. With the prevailing drought it is of utmost importance that all stakeholders are engaged and sensitized about looming water challenges in our area of supply.

So the National water week would be used in order to comply with the DWAS requirements and spread out warning shots about the severity of drought in KwaZulu Natal

This year’s Campaign will target Municipal Officials, Ward Councillors, Identified Wards (Communities primarily in Madadeni East and Osizweni) and Schools in Madadeni, Osizweni and Blaaubosch.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Monday  15/03/2016   Item: Portfolio Councillors awareness Program   Venue:  Boardroom Electrical Department   Time: 10h00 to 11h00	Tuesday 15/03/2016   Item: Madadeni section 4 Community awareness Program. Venue: Mdumiseni High School/Madadeni Checkers.   Time: 9h00 to 15h00	Wednesday 16/03/2016   Item:  Blaaubosch Community awareness Program     Venue: Mzamo High School/ Itheku Plaza       Time: 9h00 to 15h00	Thursday 17/03/2016   Item: Osizweni Community awareness Program     Venue: Osizweni High school/ Osizweni stadium     Time: 9h00 to 15h00	Friday 18/03/2016:-   Item: Madadeni all wards Community awareness Program Venue: Phelandaba Stadium     Time: 9h00 to 15h00

 

Statement has been issued by the Newcastle Municipality Communications Unit: For more information Contact Miss Zandile Masondo email: Zandile.Masondo@newcastle.gov.za Office line: 034 328 7752