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 tests water quality nationwide with monitoring project

ByAfriForum 03/08/202603/08/2026

AfriForum will conduct extensive testing of drinking and wastewater in nearly 160 areas this month to hold local government accountable for the provision of this basic human right. Through its water quality monitoring project, the civil rights organisation is mobilising AfriForum branches across the country to fulfil this important monitoring role. This will be the 11th year in which AfriForum has conducted this type of testing.

According to Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager of Environmental Affairs, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest reports paint a concerning picture of the state of South Africa’s water infrastructure. According to the Department’s figures, nearly half (47%) of the country’s municipal wastewater treatment works are in a critical condition, while hundreds of drinking water systems are still classified as high-risk or critical.

“These findings once again highlight local government’s failure to take decisive action against the deterioration of water infrastructure and the continued pollution of the country’s natural water resources. Millions of litres of untreated sewage are discharged into rivers and other water sources as a result of the poor management and insufficient capacity of wastewater treatment works, placing the health of millions of people across the country at risk,” says De Klerk.

“Communities can no longer rely on the state to ensure that their drinking water is safe. AfriForum therefore conducts its own drinking water quality tests to provide communities with reliable information and compel the authorities to act.”

The results of the water quality tests will be submitted to the relevant local municipalities. Should the results fail to comply with the prescribed standards, AfriForum will ensure that communities are immediately informed of any potential dangers. The civil rights organisation will also demand that the municipalities concerned address any water quality problems as soon as possible or risk facing legal action.