PICS: Siza Water celebrates major milestone on the Dolphin Coast

Twenty years of delivering great service is something to celebrate!

The metaphor of the night was that of marriage, with President of the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Andy Horton, former councillor Faizel Dawood and Ilembe district municipality deputy mayor, Dolly Shandu, all likening the relationship between Siza Water and the municipality to that of a wedded couple.

In 1999, South Africa’s first public private partnership in water services was created when the former Dolphin Coast Transitional Council (DCTC) entered into a private public partnership with Saur Services to form Siza Water.

“We managed our differences over the years,” said Horton. He called Siza Water a blessing to the area. Horton also challenged Siza Water to upgrade less advantaged areas.

All speakers pointed to the company’s innovation and proactive approach during the 2014-2016 drought.

When the possibility of running out of water was high, Siza Water built a direct reuse water plant, using cutting edge technology to provide safe drinking water by using multimedia sand filters, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet disinfection and chlorination.

While the taps ran dry in other supply areas in KZN, Ballito’s supply was uninterrupted.

Siza Water was also ahead of its time in the formation of the Siza Water Employee Share Trust.

A recipient of the Siza Water bursary scheme, Kiara Birbal, spoke about the opportunities Siza Water had afforded her, enabling her to realise her dream of becoming a physiotherapist.

The company also focuses on upskilling of its workers, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and women empowerment. As part of its 20th anniversary social projects, the water provider built a second classroom at Shayamoya Crèche.

“Being 100 percent owned by South African shareholders, the rebranding of Siza Water and our 20th year of exceptional service delivery are just a few of our recent milestones,” said Siza Water MD Shyam Misra.

“We now focus on further enhancing the service delivery to our customers and the Ilembe District.”

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