Was Elon Musk Right? Are South African Politicians More Obsessed With Race and Gender Than Fixing Real Problems?
Across the world, South Africa has recently been at the centre of intense debate. International figures – including South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk – have publicly questioned whether our leaders are more focused on race and identity politics than on solving the country’s real challenges.
The proposed National Water Amendment Bill [B1–2026] has brought that debate directly into the heart of one of South Africa’s most critical resources: water. Water is the foundation of life, food security, industry and economic growth. For generations it has been regarded as a res communes – a shared resource belonging to all South Africans, not to any political ideology. Yet this Bill proposes that race and gender must be considered when deciding who receives water use licences.
With numerous changes proposed, this amendment has the potential for far-reaching consequences if adequate public consultation is not undertaken.
The Bill seeks to amend the Water Services Act, 1997, so as to:
- insert and amend certain definitions;
- provide for the registration of persons who install and operate water services works;
- provide for a licensing system for municipal service delivery mechanisms delivering water services;
- provide for a water services licensing authority;
- provide for further governance and operations requirements for water boards;
- strengthen the compliance and enforcement provisions in the Act;
- provide for authorised persons to conduct inspections of water services works or activities in terms of the Act; to provide for additional offences and penalties;
- provide for transitional arrangements; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Similarly, we note that millions of South Africans are facing a far more urgent crisis:
- Collapsing municipal water systems
- Leaking pipes losing billions of litres
- Failing dams and treatment plants
- Unreliable water supply
- Decades of under-investment in infrastructure
This raises an important national question:
Are our politicians focused on the right "attributes" of our country's infrastructure?
DearSA invites you to have your say on whether this proposed draft bill will meaningfully benefit South Africans and effectively deliver water to all, fairly and sustainably. Comments close: 28 February 2026
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