Patrice Motsepe urges renewal of South Africa’s water infrastructure
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE and Business Day (South Africa)
Patrice Motsepe, founder of African Rainbow Minerals, is urging the South African government to renovate water infrastructure, which he considers essential to restoring services and economic growth, according to TimesLIVE and Business Day. ARM reports risks to water supplies for its mines and is in talks with authorities about the Vaal Gamagara project, while Motsepe highlights mining’s role in the economy, Business Day reports.
Patrice Motsepe, founder and chair of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), has called on the South African government to address major problems with water infrastructure. In a letter to shareholders published this week with the group’s integrated annual report, he said partnerships between the state and businesses could remove barriers to growth, particularly in energy, logistics and water, to restore essential services and attract sustainable investment, according to TimesLIVE and Business Day.
ARM ranked the unreliable bulk water supply provided by the Vaal Central Water Board in the Northern Cape among its ten main residual risks. Water security is critical to the group’s Black Rock and Khumani mines. Black Rock experienced interruptions to its external supply in 2026 because of maintenance work and breakdowns affecting regional water infrastructure, Business Day reports.
The company is in ongoing discussions with the Vaal Central Water Board, the Department of Water and Sanitation and other stakeholders to strengthen regional infrastructure, including through the Vaal Gamagara water supply project. President Cyril Ramaphosa presented a national water action plan in July, with its implementation by municipalities constituting the main test, according to TimesLIVE and Business Day.
Motsepe also welcomed the inclusion of the mining sector among the drivers of growth and employment in the government-business partnership in 2026. He described mines, which represent a one-trillion-rand industry and a major source of public revenue, as a key sector for the economy. South Africa’s new strategy on critical minerals and metals classifies platinum, iron ore and manganese as highly critical minerals for energy transition technologies, Business Day notes. ARM, with a market capitalisation of 31 billion rand, also mines coal and holds 11.73% of Harmony Gold, South Africa’s largest gold producer.
