Replacing Cuban engineers with locals will not solve municipal water problems
A more systemic solution is needed to ensure competent managers make the decisions
There has been much critical comment about the deployment of Cuban “engineers” to help SA municipalities provide water and sanitation services. This was sparked in large measure by the fact that there are at least 300 water sector professionals in SA who are underemployed or unemployed and could (and should) be used to provide the support many municipalities so obviously need.
But neither the Cubans nor the SA professionals will make a difference until the fundamental problem is tackled: most SA municipalities are not equipped to deliver on their water supply and sanitation responsibilities. This has been recognised by the municipalities themselves, as reported by the Municipal Services Strategic Assessment carried out in 2018...
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