The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, has urged stakeholders to collaborate in efforts to ensure water security and sustainability in the face of climate change.

He made the call in a message delivered on his behalf at the second National Regional Water Symposium at Keetmanshoop.

The primary objective of the three-day regional water symposium is to raise and discuss water and sanitation-related issues and challenges in the Hardap, ||Kharas, and Omaheke regions.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform's Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, delivered Minister Schlettwein's message.

"Water security cannot be achieved by a single entity; it requires collaboration, innovation, and commitment from all of us, government agencies, the private sector, civil society, academia, and local communities under traditional authorities. All of us must join hands to safeguard our water resources for the next generation. We must embrace water management practices, invest in innovative technologies, and promote equitable access to clean water and sanitation."

The Governor of Omaheke Region, Pijoo Nganate, advocates for government subsidies on water for all households.

"I want us to tap into our neighbouring countries that are, for example, given 10 cubic litres of water per household in Soweto and have that as the resolution of this meeting also to make sure that every person, especially in Tseiblaagte, Epako, and Aimablaagte, has 10 cubic litres of water free of charge. A dollar for 20 cubic litres of water may seem like nothing. But when I see how some people are struggling to buy a cigarette that costs one dollar, I can imagine how these unemployed people must be struggling to buy that water."

Also addressing the water symposium were ||Kharas Regional Council Chairperson and Nama Traditional Leaders Association Vice-Chairperson, Dawid Hanse.

The participants of the Water Symposium also observed a moment of silence in honour of the late President Hage Geingob.

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Luqman Cloete