Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Environmental affairs Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum slams government over misplaced priorities after R800 million is approved for Zanzibar water project

ByAfriForum 27/02/202627/02/2026

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (English)

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (Afrikaans)

The approval of Rand Water’s R800 million investment in the Zanzibar Water Authority’s (ZAWA) water project in Tanzania, according to AfriForum, indicates serious misplaced priorities that are detrimental to local service delivery. The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, announced the approval of the investment earlier this week.

According to the government notice (number 7166), Rand Water is entering into a partnership with ZAWA and has been granted permission to enter into a management contract with ZAWA in the “revolutionary government of Zanzibar” for the operation, management and maintenance of strategic water infrastructure.

AfriForum describes the approval of this enormous investment as a politically driven decision at the expense of residents of Gauteng and parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West who depend on Rand Water’s bulk water services.

“The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, argued in his budget speech on Wednesday that R64 billion is needed to solve the water supply problems in Johannesburg alone. This highlights the extent of the crisis in this city, yet the same government approves a multimillion-rand investment for the delivery of water services abroad. It is clear that the political will to resolve the crisis is completely lacking. The government is thereby failing in its constitutional responsibility to deliver water – a critical basic service – to residents of Gauteng in particular,” explains Marais de Vaal, Advisor for Environmental Affairs at AfriForum.

Rand Water’s partnership with ZAWA also comes amid criticism against the Tanzanian water authority over irregularities in the awarding of tenders. In addition, poor revenue collection is hampering the authority, and a 2022 report warned of ZAWA’s increasing reliance on government subsidies.