DWS issues permits to youth in water

By Masilo Malakwane

QWAQWA – Aspiring farmer Bonolo Moloi, says the seminar on water licensing permits gave her much-needed contacts and information that will enable her to evolve her skills from small scale to commercial farming.

 “I’m currently growing herbs and I am planning to go into agro-processing and livestock farming,” Moloi said.

Moloi is one of the youth who attended the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Sedibeng Water seminars on water licensing permits aimed at stimulating young people to gain access into the water sector by encouraging them to apply for such licensing, and educating them about the importance of acquiring the permits.

Tshenduka Khoza from the National Water Use Authorisation & Registration Process, told The Guard the purpose of the seminars is to respond to the minister’s call for the licensing for water to be fast-tracked.

“The department seeks to transform the water space and encourage the youth to come forward and use this great opportunity presented to them by government.

“We urge all young people, in particular from farming, forestry and minerals to apply as we are in dire need of young and innovative minds to join the sector,” Khoza said.

The national office portfolio manager responsible for electronic use in water licensing, Mhlayiseni Ngubane, said the department is also calling on all up and coming commercial farmers who are interested in the water licensing permits, to apply using their newly improved online system.

“With this online system we want to move to a paperless system to avoid unnecessary backlogs and ensure that applicants or potential users are able to apply for licenses online. They should use all our regions to apply for such licences,” he said.

The seminars which took place in Bloemfontein on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, saw youth from various walks of life respond to the government’s call to speed up the necessary changes to the department’s regulatory plan that will give effect to its 90-day turnaround strategy.