Sustainable flow

In early August 2025 South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the launch of Station 5A at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Purification Plant in Vereeniging, Gauteng. The Zuikerbosch plant is the biggest state-of-the-art water purification plant in Africa and one of Rand Water’s key water-supply infrastructures.

Valued at ZAR4.8 billion, the project has delivered many socio-economic benefits since its inception in 2019, and construction is still ongoing. It forms an essential part of Rand Water’s long-term infrastructure strategy, purposefully developed to accommodate and anticipate the steady increase in customer demand, ensuring a dependable and uninterrupted water supply for millions of people.

At the ceremony, Ramaphosa said ‘let the waters that flow through this facility be a testament to our commitment to provide clean and safe water to all our people’. According to Rand Water Group CEO Sipho Mosai, these words capture the essence of Rand Water’s mission and the significance of this new phase of the Zuikerbosch Station 5A plant.

‘This project stands as a proud symbol of our shared determination to secure South Africa’s water future. It represents not only an engineering achievement, but also a commitment to service delivery, resilience and equity. Every litre purified here reflects the collective effort of government, engineers, scientists and communities working together to ensure that clean water – the foundation of life, health and economic growth – reaches every household, business and institution in our region,’ he says.

‘At Rand Water, we remain steadfast in advancing sustainable water management and innovation. We are investing in modern infrastructure, strengthening partnerships and building the skills required to meet future challenges. This facility is more than a plant; it is a promise – a promise that we will continue to honour the trust placed in us to deliver life-giving water, now and for generations to come.’

In South Africa, the provision of water services has become a crucial lifeline amid rapid urbanisation, population growth and the relentless effects of climate change. As cities swell and the demand for clean water surges, the need for resilient infrastructure and adept management of water resources has never been more urgent.

‘It is vital that society as a whole acknowledges that – despite great effort – severe water challenges persist, posing a threat not only to humankind but to all species in the environment,’ says Mosai. ‘We recognise that scaling water access is not just about building more pipes – it’s about re-imaging how things are done, financed, and how outcomes are measured.’

He says Rand Water has garnered a global reputation for delivering water of the highest quality, consistently meeting and surpassing national and international standards, and building large water-infrastructure projects. ‘Immense effort has been made to ensure the maintenance of a strong financial profile amid the economic challenges and tough operating environment, making liquidity and financial-risk management fundamental cornerstones of Rand Water’s financial sustainability.’

Rand Water’s commitment to constructive engagement with its stakeholders is driven by five corporate values – innovation; excellence; caring; spirit of partnership; and integrity, he says.

‘These values guide our behaviour and are meticulously applied when engaging all stakeholders,’ says Mosai. ‘Our stakeholder interaction is also guided by the best business practice principles of inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness. Our reputation rests on the value we deliver to our stakeholders and the way we manage our contributions to – and the impact we have on – the water sector and South Africa’s economic development agenda at large.’

Community engagement and corporate social responsibility are key elements of that. Rand Water has spearheaded initiatives that go beyond water supply and tackling broader socio-economic challenges, aligning the organisation’s goals with national development priorities.

‘Rand Water’s operational activities impact the environment, people and broader society,’ says Mosai. ‘We, therefore, have a responsibility to reduce our negative impacts, increase our positive impacts, and create sustainable benefits for our internal and external stakeholders.’

President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the launch of Station 5A at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Plant, boosting capacity and long-term water security

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals aim to eradicate poverty, safeguard the environment and promote peace and prosperity by 2030. ‘As the provider of bulk potable water and sanitation services, Rand Water directly supports Goal 6, which aims to ensure available and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, while other SDGs are indirectly supported through our core activities,’ says Mosai.

In line with SDG Goal 6, Rand Water provides a reliable supply of water with no unplanned interruptions to bulk supply exceeding 24 hours. It has achieved 99.7% on the Water Quality Composite Indicator, and continues to implement infrastructure projects to ensure transportation of safe drinking water.

Rand Water’s SDG contribution also includes Goal 5 (Gender Equality), with 43% of its employees and 76% of its managers being female; Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), with 3 027 job created through the Rand Water Foundation and other infrastructure projects; Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), through its Project 1600 programme to improve water use efficiency; and Goal 13 (Climate Action), through ongoing improvements in its energy efficiency and reduction of its carbon footprint.

The Water Wise campaign, a sub-brand of Rand Water, is committed to educating and influencing stakeholders on the value of water and the importance of its conservation. Water Wise is also responsible for educating stakeholders on efficient water use and water-demand management.

Rand Water’s Water Wise Education Team offers an education service to organisations at external venues to assist them with a variety of Water Wise programmes. These include educator workshops, interactive presentations, roadshows and puppet shows. Water Wise uses interactive methodologies to promote the reduction of wasteful water use, the prevention of water pollution, and the protection of water sources, aiming to create a sustainable future for all.

Despite its accomplishments, Rand Water is not resting on its laurels, according to Mosai. ‘The toughest tests lie ahead with climate strain, weak municipal financial systems and non-payment of bulk water utilities. Hard work and innovation in Rand Water’s value chain need to be used as motivation by municipalities to reticulate the water they receive from Rand Water to taps for the benefit of communities,’ he says.

‘Again to quote President Ramaphosa, “water is not just a basic human need. It is the lifeblood of any thriving society. Water sustains life, supports industry, empowers agriculture and fuels innovation. Water is an enabler of economic growth”. The legacy we are building at Rand Water is one of resilience, innovation and inclusive water provision.’