In late April 2021, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's council approved the construction of a seawater desalination plant at a special meeting. The city joined the Coega Development Corporation's (CDC) desalination scheme in order to fast-track the project in view of the severe drought. Acting City Manager Mandla George was authorised to sign an offtake agreement for a CDC plant of 15 megalitres per day (15,000 m³/day). Executive Mayor Nqaba Bhanga linked the decision to water security, investment and jobs.
The report showed how a South African metro under drought pressure turned to seawater desalination and chose an offtake agreement with a partner over building a plant itself.
Source: The Herald