BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Cape Town, South Africa: Executive Director of Water and Sanitation for the City of Cape Town, Leonardo Manus, has called for a comprehensive, systems-based approach to address South Africa’s growing water and sanitation challenges, warning that while the threat of “Day Zero” has receded, it has not disappeared. Speaking at the WISA 2026 Biennial Conference & Exhibition, Manus said Cape Town’s experience during the devastating 2017–2018 drought demonstrated the importance of long-term planning, sustainable water conservation and resilient infrastructure.
Addressing delegates at the conference, held under the theme “Rethinking Amanzi – Securing Our Future,” he stressed that South Africa remains a water-scarce nation and must become increasingly water-sensitive. Manus highlighted that wastewater should no longer be viewed as waste but as an essential resource within the country’s broader water strategy. He noted that a high-intensity rainfall event in May significantly improved Cape Town’s dam levels this winter, but warned that relying on unpredictable weather is not a sustainable solution.
Focusing on water quality, Manus criticised the tendency to address problems only at their final stage, describing it as the most expensive and least effective approach. He explained that sewage systems are designed to handle only the “three Ps”, pee, poo and paper, yet they are increasingly clogged by rags and other inappropriate waste. He pointed out that many of the rags found in sewer systems are used by young girls who cannot afford sanitary products, emphasising that the issue reflects broader social and economic inequalities rather than individual behaviour.
These materials damage pumps, disrupt wastewater treatment operations and increase the risk of sewage spills. Manus also revealed that the City of Cape Town had allocated R40 million for law enforcement support to protect maintenance workers operating in crime-affected communities. Concluding his address, Manus urged governments, municipalities, businesses, academics and communities to work together through integrated planning and targeted investment, arguing that only a collaborative, systems-thinking approach can build a resilient and sustainable water future for South Africa.
