SA gets first desalination plant

Speaking at the launch of the plant in Richards Bay yesterday, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Enviromental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala has commended the private sector for their contribution to trying to solve the province's recent water shortage challenges. 

The R74-million plant constructed by aluminium company, South 32, will purify sea water into drinkable water. 

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Zikalala says, this initiative will play a pivotal role in tackling the ongoing drought, saving water in uMhlathuze and King Cetshwayo District.

"We will be developing that relationship and strategies to ensure that those areas that have been highly affected by the shortage of water get serviced through among others, this approach of desalination," he said.  

He says the absence of rain over the past has had dire implications on our natural water resource that is crucial for both domestic and industrial consumption and as well as the agricultural sector. 

He added that South Africa has now joined other countries - namely Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States - which have used this technology to solve their water shortage challenges.