Senzo Mchunu (M&G)
Water experts say outgoing Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has been left with a big shoes to fill.
Mchunu, who was appointed police minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa's national unity cabinet on Sunday, has been replaced by ANC parliamentary secretary Pemi Majodina.
WaterCan executive manager Ferial Adamu said Mchunu taught him that “you can't deal with water issues by sitting in an office in Pretoria, you have to get out there and deal with it”.
“He did it, and it wasn't just some flashy speech,” she said. “He was a very approachable guy. When I met him, he wasn't intimidated by a thousand bodyguards trying to stop you from talking to him. He built a leadership team around himself like that.
“They took away the idea that because I have a blue light on my head, I can't talk to people in that position. [Mchunu] He did, and I think because of that he was able to turn the water ship around. He performed a miracle, and for that we will miss him.”
Majodina said the key will be how Majodina builds on the work started by Mchunu and his team, including “working with the team to ensure that this plan moves forward, rather than saying, 'I'm the new minister, so I'll decide'”.
Adam said Mchunu got the Lesotho Highlands Water Project back on track, released the Blue, Green and No Drop report that hadn't been done for years, and revised policies to make them better and stronger. “He took water issues seriously for the most part and had a great team around him, which allowed him to focus on what was important.”
Associate Professor Anja du Plessis, from Unisa's School of Geography in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said it was a shame to see Mchunu step down from the water and sanitation sector “given his past achievements”.
“I had hoped that he would remain in his post and be able to move forward with the positive momentum that he and his team have worked so hard to build,” she said.
Mr du Plessis said he hoped the department would “not go back to the dark ages” of 10 years ago. [Sean Phillips] The team is now able to continue the work they are doing and we are seeing positive progress being made to continue the enforcement that Mr. Senzo has called for.”
She added that Majodina should ensure continuity within the department in terms of the team and work with directors-general, experts, civil society and the private sector.
“We can only hope that pressure on local governments for accountability, transparency and enforcement of standards will continue as widespread contamination continues to have to be addressed.”