WATCH | Joburg in crisis — Majodina’s ‘water song’ sparks outrage

Johannesburg – As South Africa grapples with a worsening water crisis, particularly in Johannesburg, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina attended the African Union (AU) Summit in Ethiopia, sparking criticism from opposition leaders.

The two-day summit focused on sustainable water availability and sanitation under Agenda 2063.

Johannesburg residents have endured dry taps for weeks, with leaking pipes, strikes, and failing infrastructure worsening the situation.

Majodina and her deputy had spent several days in the city trying to address these local water challenges before leaving for the summit.

Over the weekend, Majodina was in Addis Ababa, where she performed a “water song” at a breakfast event.

Her attendance drew sharp criticism from figures including DA federal chair and Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille, who condemned her for leaving South Africa amid the crisis.

“You can’t make this up! Are we going to import water from Ethiopia? Or what? The Pres told you to consult with water-starved communities in SA, not to jet off elsewhere.”

Speaking at the AU event, Majodina cited high water demand and underfunded infrastructure as key challenges, noting that around R400 billion is needed to repair and upgrade local water systems.

She blamed municipalities’ poor maintenance and lack of skills for persistent shortages, while critics questioned the timing of her overseas attendance.