Pretoria: South Africa will observe National Water Week from 17: 23 March, with a theme that celebrates the country’s achievements over the last two decades of democracy.

Celebrations for the week will be held under the banner, ‘Water is Life: 20 Years of Water Delivery for Social and Economic Development’ and a number of events have been lined up.

In a post Cabinet briefing today, Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said the week will kick off with the lowering of pumps at the South Vertical Shaft of the old East Rand Proprietary Mines, to deal with the issue of acid mine drainage in the Central Witwatersrand Basin.

The event will take place on Friday, 14 March.

Williams used the platform to urge South Africans to play their part in conserving water.

The remainder of the week will also see the handover of waste water treatment works and bulk water supply projects in a number of provinces.

Also noting the upcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March, Cabinet said it was important for South Africans to reflect on the progress made by communities, society and the country at large in advancing the rights of women.

“The day provides an opportunity for South Africans to pay tribute to the achievements and sacrifices of South African women in our communities,” Williams said, adding that the protection and empowerment of women is everybody’s business.

SOURCE: South African Official News