South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the challenge of water in the country is an emergency. He was speaking at the National Water and Sanitation Indaba in Midrand, Gauteng province.

The gathering is hosting leaders from around the country including ministers, Members of Parliament, mayors, business, officials, and water research academics. He says the Indaba must not become an exercise of problem-diagnosing and has called for an urgent national water plan.

Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.