The Overberg Water Board is classified as a Schedule 3B Public Entity in terms of the Public Finance Management Act and is incorporated in terms the Water Services Act (WSA) 108 of 1997.
The primary responsibilities of the Overberg Water Board are outlined in section 29 of the Water Services Act, which is to be a bulk portable water supplier to Water Services Authorities. However, this mandate can be further extended to provide services listed in section 30 of the WSA.
The Overberg Water Board was established in 1993 with the amalgamation of Duivenhoks and Ruensveld Water Boards.
The Overberg Water Board is one of the national water public entities under the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) under the National Government of South Africa.
It exists to complement the work of the department and primarily supports the Minister of Water and Sanitation as the shareholder. It is a water board providing bulk water services in terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 and is subjected to a number of applicable laws such as the Constitution, the National Water Act 36 of 1998, Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999.
Overberg Water discharges its services by placing its customers ahead of the delivery menu. It has a long history of service delivery and placing customers in the forefront since its inception.
Overberg Water has been a pillar of hope to its customers in terms of the quality of drinking water.
The Head Office of Overberg Water is situated in Somerset West which is approximately 40 kilometres from the Cape Town CDB and 30 kilometres from Cape Town International Airport.
Overberg Water also has three water schemes functioning as satellite offices and these are Ruensveld West in Caledon, Ruensveld East in Swellendam and Duivenhoks in Heidelberg.
The Overberg Water’s area of jurisdiction is the south-Western Cape in the west to the Heidelberg/ Riversdale districts in the east and bounded by the Langeberg Mountains in the north and by the Indian Ocean in the south. Its area includes the following towns: Caledon, Napier, Bredasdorp, Riviersonderend, Swellendam, Heidelberg, Riversdale and a number of other smaller areas.
It is situated in one of the water management areas, namely, the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Area (BOCMA) which measures approximately 72,000 square kilometres. BOCMA is the sole water resource authority in the catchment.
The Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Area “gives effect to its function to investigate and advise water users on the protection, conservation, management and control of water resources in a cooperative manner” (BOCMA, 2015).
Purpose
The primary function of Overberg Water is mainly the provision of bulk drinking water to its customers.
Viewing the location of Overberg Water schemes within the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Area (BOCMA) area of jurisdiction naturally creates a symbiotic relation with the BOCMA in managing the water use.
Vision
The vision of the Overberg Water Board is to become the leading regional water utility providing sustainable and competitive water and sanitation services for the region.
Mission
The mission of the Overberg Water Board is to supply and maintain reliable, affordable and good quality water and sanitation services for the regions.
Values
- Teamwork – prompting a culture of collaborative behavior whilst pursuing individual organisational responsibilities
- Respect – serving with a positive attitude, courtesy, and mutual respect that engender a shared vision
- Sustainability – promoting environmentally sustainable practices as a commitment to protecting the natural resources
- Accountability – addressing challenges promptly, implement effective solutions by providing excellent service as a committed team
- Integrity – upholding honesty and moral principles
Programmes
- Water service planning
- Water service management
- Institutional and stakeholder relations
- Resource protection
- Strategic support, which includes finance, human resources and administration
- Governance and management
Goals
- Organisational efficiency and effectiveness
- Improve and increase revenue and manage cost drivers
- Effective stakeholder and customer engagement
- Strengthen and develop quality human and organisations resources
- Strategic support, which includes finance, human resources and administration
- Provide oversight and take accountability
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Mr Razeen Benjamin
Deputy Chairperson
- Ms Sphiwe Mayinga
Board Members
- Prof Gregory Davids
- Dr Thavamoney Kelly
- Mr David Lefutso
- Dr Nandipha Madiba
- Ms Nalini Maharaj
- Ms Monica Malunga
- Mr Bongani Mnisi
- Mr Dirk van Papendorp
- Mr Louis Van Rheede Van Oudtshoorn
Chief Executive Officer
- Dr Phakamani Buthelezi
Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Emmeritia Jeffries
Senior Management
- Mr Marshia Batayi (Supply Chain)
- Ms Sarah Mathunyane (Human Resources)
- Mr Xolani Mdletshe
- Mr Brian Mokhele (Management Accountant)
Communications Officers
- Mr Xolani Mdletshe (Technical Manager and Acting Executive Manager: Operations, Infrastructure and New Business Development)
Contact Details
The contact details of the Overberg Water Board are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Trident Park 3, Ground Floor, 1 Niblick Way, Somerset West, 7130, Western Cape |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 1005, Somerset West, 7137 |
| Telephone: | 021 851 2155 |
| Fax: | 021 214 1302 |
| Email: | info@overbergwater.co.za |
| Website: | www.overbergwater.co.za |
