​Ugu District Municipality hosted a successful Water and Sanitation Indaba to devise solutions to water challenges in the district. Deliberations focused on providing opportunity to key role players to investigate key challenges, reconnoitre and share practical solutions for the benefit of all Ugu communities. Led by District Champion and KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Ms Nonhlanhla Khoza, KZN Legislature Speaker Ms Nontembeko Boyce and Acting Mayor Cllr Mandla Chiya, three commissions which focused on Finance, Water and Sanitation as well as Public Participation and Communications were held.Acting Mayor Cllr Mandla Chiya emphasised the importance of ensuring that engagements are not confined to the above commissions but better understanding of all Water Services and Water Resources programmes to provide strategic interventions that will fast track the Council’s electoral mandate in delivering water and sanitation to its people without excuses. “We need to come up with a tangible action plan that will be not only be owned by the municipality but all stakeholders who will in turn ensure it monitors its implementation for the benefit of our communities who elected us to provide change.”Providing a strategic directive during the Indaba, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Mayor Cllr Sikhumbuzo Mqadi averred that the Indaba should provide an engagement platform on critical water issues and finding practical solutions to challenges that face the municipality in delivering services and managing its water resources.  “We appreciate that we have been enabled this opportunity to provide much needed inputs in shaping our actions into the future. Today should ensure that our vision and mission are not just idle statements that have no meaning to our people.”He stressed that the recent community protests within the district signalled a strong need to prioritise infrastructure development, combat illegal connections, as well as the need to finance more resources towards the municipality’s core function.Issues pertaining leakages, revenue collection, improving stakeholder communication were discussed. Council Speaker, Cllr Sizwe Ngcobo thanked all attendees for supporting the Indaba and engaging robustly during commissions.For continuous updates on water and sanitation related matters, visit and like our Facebook page: ‘Ugu District Municipality.’END!ISSUED BY:UGU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITYFor more information and media queries contact:Acting Senior Manager: Mayoralty & CommunicationsMr Mondli NgcoboMondli.Ngcobo@ugu.websitesupport.co.za​