Minister of Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti says government is commited to collaborative efforts to lead transformation in the water sector as the department prepares to launch the Phakisa Process for Water and Sanitation. The aim is to address sector challenges and ensure that as per the ideals of the National Development Plan, the new Master Plan assists the Department of Water and Sanitation in achieving the desired outcomes. Presenting at the session, Department of Water and Sanitation deputy director-general Trevor Balzer, responsible for strategic and emergency projects, gave an overview of the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, focusing on how the Master Plan can assist in addressing sector challenges and also the implementation of the Phakisa Process for Water and Sanitation. “The Phakisa Process on Water and Sanitation will see sector partners agree on concrete actions, budgets and timeframes necessary to implement the Master Plan, and ensure a water-secure future for the country, while also addressing the triple challenges confronting the country, namely poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Balzer. He mentioned that the Phakisa Process for Water and Sanitation was a game changer for the department and the sector holistically. There were also presentations by the South African Local Government Association, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and water user associations. Department of Water and Sanitation deputy director-general Anil Singh presented on policy, and legislative and regulatory issues. The presentations were followed by a robust discussion session with attendees. Also in attendance was Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Andries Nel and KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube. Nel noted during the session that all service delivery required more than the building of new infrastructure. “Maintaining infrastructure is critical, as well as the attraction of private-sector investment in the water and local government sectors.”