President Ramaphosa Unveils Africa’s Largest Water Purification Plant at Zuikerbosch
Evident Makatwane 
Image Credit: GovernmentZA
Vereeniging, Gauteng – 8 August 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched the System 5A Water Purification Plant at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Station a R4.8 billion infrastructure project poised to transform water security in South Africa’s most densely populated and industrialised provinces.
The facility, the largest of its kind on the continent, will deliver an additional 600 million litres of potable water per day once fully operational by December 2025, enough to serve approximately 2.4 million people across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Free State.
Speaking at the launch, President Ramaphosa hailed the project as a “vital piece of infrastructure” that directly fulfils commitments made in his 2025 State of the Nation Address to address the nation’s pressing water challenges.
“Water is the lifeblood of any thriving society sustaining life, powering industry, supporting agriculture, and safeguarding public health. Clean water is not a privilege; it is a right,” he said.
Boosting Water Security for the Economic Heartland
Zuikerbosch System 5A draws raw water from the Vaal River via the Integrated Vaal River System. Phase 1, delivering 150 million litres per day, began operations in August 2023. The advanced treatment process involves lime and ferric chloride dosing, gravity sedimentation, pH correction with carbon dioxide, rapid sand filtration, and chlorination before the water is pumped into municipal networks.
The plant’s scale and advanced technology will significantly improve the resilience of the water supply network, particularly during drought cycles and in response to growing demand from population and economic growth.
Economic, Social, and Skills Impact
Beyond its core function, the project has generated 871 jobs and provided skills training to over 2,140 beneficiaries in construction-related trades. It has also awarded contracts worth R177.7 million to 48 small and medium enterprises and invested R10.4 million into community initiatives, including schools, early childhood development centres, and NGOs.
President Ramaphosa described the project as an embodiment of the District Development Model, citing collaboration between national, provincial, and local government structures alongside the private sector.
A Showcase of South African Expertise
During his tour of the plant, the President was accompanied by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and local mayors. Among the highlights was a personal tour by Mohlago Angie Moekwa, a young water engineer and NSFAS beneficiary who graduated from Tshwane University of Technology.
Ramaphosa praised Moekwa as a “living example” of democratic progress, linking her story to his metaphor of Tintswalo the generation of young South Africans who have benefited from opportunities created since 1994.
Strategic Importance
The Zuikerbosch upgrade aligns with the National Development Plan 2030, which prioritises sustainable infrastructure to support economic growth. With climate variability, urbanisation, and industrial expansion placing increasing pressure on water systems, System 5A represents both a safeguard for the present and an investment in future resilience.
“System 5 is a purification model for the future designed to meet today’s needs while withstanding tomorrow’s uncertainties. Our water systems must be climate-resilient, efficiently managed, and protected from theft and vandalism,” Ramaphosa said.
The launch also coincides with Rand Water’s 121st anniversary, underscoring its role as one of the world’s leading bulk water suppliers.
Key Stats – Zuikerbosch System 5A
- Capacity: 600 million litres/day
- Regions Served: Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, North West, and Free State
- Project Cost: R4.8 billion
- Jobs Created: 871
- SME Contracts: R177.7 million awarded
- Community Investment: R10.4 million
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