News

20 August 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYOR OF CEDERBERG HOSTS DEPUTY NATIONAL MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION, SELO SEITLHOLO, WHO VISITED CITRUSDAL AND CLANWILLIAM

Citrusdal, Clanwilliam – On Monday, 19 August 2024, the Executive Mayor of the Cederberg, Dr Ruben Richards, hosted the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Minister Selo Seitlholo, and guided the ministerial oversight visit to assess two key projects in the area – (1) the Citrusdal River cleaning and (2) the Raising of the Clanwilliam Dam Wall. In attendance was the Executive Mayor of West Coast District Municipality, Mr. Boffie Strydom, and also a range of senior officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Cederberg and District municipalities.

While overlooking the Citrusdal River from the bridge on R303, Dr Ruben Richards explained to the Deputy Minister the causes of flooding in the area, attributing it to the unmitigated risks posed by the downstream flow of water from the Witzenberg catchment area which feeds the Cederberg. He expressed gratitude to both the MEC of Agriculture (Western Cape) and the Deputy National Minister for the support and significant contributions made by the department to cleaning the sediment from river bed which is a major contributor to the Citrusdal flooding.

 During an onsite interview in Citrusdal, Deputy Minister Seitlholo emphasized the importance of understanding the role of the Department of Water and Sanitation in addressing the challenges faced by the community. He noted that the R303 (N7-Citrusdal road) plays a massive role and facilitates the economy of the area. The minister emphasised that the role of DWS is to provide relief and assistance where needed.

 At the Clanwilliam Dam project, Mr. Boffie Strydom, Executive Mayor of West Coast District Municipality, opened the briefing session, followed by a presentation from the technical team of the Department of Water and Sanitation headed by the Construction Manager of the Clanwilliam dam project Mr. Paul Kruger.  The Executive Mayor of Cederberg, Dr Ruben Richards made some concluding remarks.

The technical presentation of DWS highlighted the benefits of the Olifants-Doorn River Water Resources Project, which supplies raw water to farmers, municipalities, mines, and industries in the Olifants River valley. The presentation also highlighted that as a result of the raising of the dam wall, the volume of water in the Clanwilliam Dam will triple. The project will improve water safety under high flood conditions and enhance economic development through the additional availability of water for farming and general industry.  Kruger also mentioned that the project budget forecast now stands at close to R7 billion - almost double to the original costings for the project.

Dr Richards handed over to the Deputy Minister a comprehensive briefing dossier covering a range of “big ticket and strategic infrastructure” matters which directly affects the Cederberg Municipality.  These include, for example, the Desalination Plant in Lamberts Bay, the upgrade of the Sewage Works in Clanwilliam and possible collaboration with DWS regarding the Clanwilliam By-Pass Road.  Dr Richards pledged the support of the Cederberg municipality in whatever form is required by DWS.

Deputy Minister Seitlholo concluded the Clanwilliam visit by conducting a physical inspection of the Clanwilliam dam wall and emphasised the importance of collaboration and support in addressing water and sanitation challenges in the region.

The end

Issued by

Communication and Customer Care Department

Anthony Vusumzi Mlata

Telephone number: +27 482 8000

Email address: media@cederbergraad.co.za